Every day that the novel coronavirus remains a major health concern, residents in assisted living centers are going without much human contact. Fortunately, 92-year-old Shirley Kleiman of Canada still gets daily visits from her husband of 70 years – they’re just through a window.
Sam and Shirley have gone through a lot over the course of their marriage, and the one thing that has stayed constant is their love for each other! While their interactions may not be ideal right now, Sam said they’ve made it through worse. Plus, he still feels as close to her as ever!
The lovebirds have been living separately for the last three years, so the devoted husband has made sure to visit his wife every day since. Before restrictions were set in place, he would often take Shirley for a ride or just sit and talk with her.
They can’t go for rides at the moment, but they still talk all the time. Sam comes over and sits in a chair outside one of the center’s windows, while Shirley hangs out on the other side. Then they blow each other kisses and declare their love.
“I’m not separated by that glass,” Sam told CBC. “We connect and [the pandemic] is just a situation that we’re dealing with, that’s all. … We may be apart in that we can’t be physically close to one another, but we’re not apart.”
Clearly, these two share a deep connection! Sam credits his wife for getting him through much harder things than the pandemic, like losing two of their children. “She pulled me through all that, and we lean on one another,” he explained. “We always have.”
Staff members at the assisted living facility have been inspired by how strong their relationship is after all this time. Sam said the secret to such a successful marriage is simple.
“That both have to be fully invested in,” he said. “And if you are, and you trust one another that you are, then there are no real important issues that can’t be dealt with.” His other secret is to always say, “Yes, dear.”
Of all the gestures and promises people make to each other, their determination to stick together – even through a pandemic – is among the most romantic!
Learn more of their story in the video below, and be sure to share the joy with your friends.
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