Life
Quarantined grandpa gets bittersweet visit from granddaughter to share her engagement
This is so heartbreaking yet beautiful at the same time.
Marilyn Caylor
03.23.20

No one can escape the new, forever-changed world we now face. It’s frightening, uncomfortable, and no one knows what tomorrow will even look like.

But, we still have to get on with our lives. And that’s exactly what 21-year-old Carly Boyd and her 87-year-old grandpa were doing when they were caught sharing a touching moment through his bedroom window!

Facebook/Premiere Living & Rehab Center
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Facebook/Premiere Living & Rehab Center

What we see happening outside our homes is now the face of reality as we know it. But, Carly wasn’t about to let chaos and uncertainty stop her from getting engaged.

She was getting married, and wanted everyone to know it! Unfortunately for her, the timing couldn’t have been worse as far as announcements go.

Due to the pandemic that’s shaking us all to the core, Carly can’t celebrate with a traditional engagement party, or even rush over to tell family members the good news in person.

Facebook/Carly Boyd
Source:
Facebook/Carly Boyd

Social distancing now prevents that from happening. If she told her grandfather in the flesh, he could possibly die!

Since he’s being quarantined in a nursing home that isn’t allowing any visitors, Carly didn’t think she would be able to surprise him with the new bling on her finger.

Facebook/Carly Boyd
Source:
Facebook/Carly Boyd

But then this happened. Just like that famous quote from Jurassic Park, “life will find a way.”

This viral photo of an excited granddaughter revealing her engagement to her quarantined grandfather is yet another example of just how quickly everything has changed in the wake of the pandemic.

Facebook/Premiere Living & Rehab Center
Source:
Facebook/Premiere Living & Rehab Center

However, it’s also a reminder of just how some things are still the same. Nothing can change the values we uphold, especially the ones that are near and dear to our hearts!

All that was required for these two to share this beautiful moment was to keep showing up in each other’s lives.

Granted, having a glass barrier certainly made the experience a bit different than what we’re all used to, but “different” is now the new normal.

YouTube
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YouTube

As can be seen in the now-viral photos, when Carly placed her right hand on her grandfather’s bedroom window from the outside, he placed his hand directly over hers. Carly starts tearing up the moment they “touch” each other through the thick glass.

She told Good Morning America:

“He was so happy he kept asking me, ‘When’s the wedding?'” Boyd said. “I know he feels a little trapped right now because of all the restrictions. We both said we love each other and it was just a really emotional moment.”

YouTube
Source:
YouTube

Carly is studying to become a registered nurse, so she knows exactly how important it is to keep a safe distance from those who are vulnerable to catching the virus.

She was dropping of her grandfather’s laundry at the nursing home when the staff took notice of her new engagement ring. She wasn’t expecting to actually see him that day.

But when everyone saw Carly glance at her grandfather’s room with longing in her eyes, that’s when it finally hit them. They knew exactly how to hook these two besties up!

Facebook/Carly Boyd
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Facebook/Carly Boyd

Carly and her grandfather, Shelton Mahala, are very close, and she’s savoring every precious moment of this experience. She also hopes the public will pay attention to the guidelines that have been set forth.

“When people think about going out and having a good time this weekend, I hope they realize that others are sacrificing very personal relationships and the social well-being of loved ones to keep everyone safe.”

During these difficult times, Carly has shown that it’s still possible to keep in touch with our families and share some of the sweetest moments of our lives together.

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