Woman's touching engagement reveal through grandad's nursing home window

A woman’s touching engagement reveal through her grandfather’s nursing home window has gone viral.

COVID-19 has caused retirement and assisted-living facilities around the world to enter lockdown in order to protect those considered most vulnerable to the virus.

According to experts, people over 65 and those with compromised immune systems could develop severe and potentially life-threatening respiratory complications, making self-isolation of the utmost importance.

In the wake of the precautionary lockdowns, family members and friends are finding creative ways to stay in contact with their loved ones — and their heartwarming photos are going viral.

North Carolina woman, Carly Boyd, uploaded a series of snaps to her Facebook page, showing her revealing the moment to her grandfather.

“I really wanted to be able to tell my grandfather because he has dementia and there’s no phone in there that he has access to,” she told Kold News 13. “I just really wanted to make an effort to tell him.”

Due to the coronavirus, Carly said staff told her she could walk around to her grandad’s window and they would pull up the blinds so he could see her.

“I got really emotional and really sad and I just put my hand on the window, and he put his there too. I just told him I love him, and he said ‘I love you too and I hope to see you soon’, like really see you.”

The Premier Living and Rehab Center in Lake Waccamaw, N.C. shared the special moment in a moving set of photos to Facebook.

“Even though visitation is restricted at this time, staff suggested an alternative,” the facility posted to social media. “Here, a resident’s granddaughter tells her grandfather that she’s engaged! Emotional and memorable, for sure! Thank you for allowing us to capture this special moment!”

The post has been shared more than 140,000 times on social media, with many readers sharing their stories of small acts of kindness to connect with those in isolation.

“I babysit out of my home, today all of the kids made cards to send to a local nursing home,” one woman wrote. “I know it's not the same, but they're hoping to brighten up their day.”

“I work at a nursing home. I work on the dementia and Alzheimers unit and a lot are none verbal. I have one resident who is used to seeing his wife everyday and you could see how sad he was,” another commented. We brought him to his bedroom window to see her and although he doesn't do anything other then mostly babble you could see his whole demeanour change. He started laughing, waving and babbling away. He was instantly so happy. Needless to say I had to walk out of the room because I was in tears.”

Words by Elizabeth Di Filippo

Got a story tip or just want to get in touch? Email us at lifestyle.tips@verizonmedia.com.