A photographer captured the heartbreaking moment of the groom waving through the glass door of the nursing home at his elderly grandparents who were not allowed to attend his wedding due to COVID-19 restrictions.
Brendan Samuels, From Sydney, she shared what happened behind the scenes at Kristen and Peter wedding on September 26 – and the final gift the bride made to her new husband.
Last night when I was on my way home from Christine and Peter wedding, I needed to turn off the radio. Neither a podcast, nor John Mayer, nor a YouTube playlist. Silence, I needed white noise to wake up to what I just went through, ‘Brendan wrote on Facebook.
Brendan Samuels, who lives in Sydney, shared what happened behind the scenes at Kristen and Peter wedding on September 26 – and the ultimate gift the bride gave her new husband (the couple pictured)
The couple were allowed to stand outside the glass doors of the nursing home and wave to Peter’s grandparents
His grandfather wore a suit to see his grandson on his wedding day. Grandma Ang Bo (red pocket) had it and it passed under the glass doors
I have been reminded of the reality of this epidemic (not the inconvenience in our daily life) but rather how for others, this is their struggle for survival.
“The fact that isolation and separation from loved ones means that they are able to see another day and mature in their wisdom.”
Kristen surprised Peter with a private visit to his grandparents’ nursing home shortly after the party, and they were still wearing their formal clothes.
Blindfolded, Peter got out of Brendan’s car and was taken to the front door – still unaware of the impending reunion – only to realize that the couple had never taken night photos.
“He had a cheek-to-cheek smile when he saw his grandparents,” said Brendan.
Blindfolded, Peter got out of Brendan’s car and was taken to the front door – still unaware of the impending reunion – only to realize the couple had never taken night photos.
Brendan said, “He had a cheek-to-cheek smile when he saw his grandparents.”
His grandfather wore a suit to see his grandson on his wedding day. Granny Ang Bo (red pocket) had it and it passed under the glass doors.
In Chinese and other East and Southeast Asian societies, a red envelope is given as a cash gift during holidays or special occasions such as weddings, graduations, or the birth of a child.
Brendan continued: “With the exchange of quiet whispers, you can feel the harsh reality of how this epidemic affects our desire for relationships and spending time with our loved ones.”
Peter’s grandfather began to pray and even though they couldn’t hear what he was saying behind the glass, Brendan knew that “the prayer has been answered.”
Peter’s grandfather began to pray and even though they couldn’t hear what he was saying behind the glass, Brendan knew that “the prayer has been answered.”
The photographer said the hardest part of the evening was watching Peter’s grandparents behind them returning to their rooms
Peter’s grandparents were unable to attend his wedding but were happy to see him moments later
The photographer said the hardest part of the evening was watching Peter’s grandparents behind them returning to their rooms.
I felt Peter, I felt serious. For a moment or two, I almost forgot I was there to photograph while wiping my tears … who knows when life will return to normal, ‘he said.
Can I ask you to do something? Increase the number of times you talk to your grandparents. Yes, it might mean having the same conversation multiple times but do it for them.
They are the ones who cannot live in the “new normal”. Send them video messages. Put a message in the post.
I felt Peter, I felt serious. For a moment or two, I almost forgot I was there to film while wiping my tears … who knows when life will return to normal, ‘he said
Brendan thanked those serving on the “ front lines ” of the global health crisis, saying they were “ amazing ” and doing an amazing job (pictured by Christine)
They are the ones our baby sat while our parents were going to work. They are the ones who talk about you proudly among their friends and they are the ones who help us understand unconditional love.
Brendan thanked those serving on the “front lines” of the global health crisis, saying they were “amazing” and doing an amazing job.
In New South Wales, those who live in residential aged care facilities are limited in the time they can spend with visitors, and they can only receive two visitors at a time and only in their room or outside – not in a common area.
Large gatherings of residents and families, including social activities, are not currently allowed.
