Absence is said to make the heart grow fonder. In other words, when we are separated from our loved ones, our feelings of affection and devotion are bound to grow stronger. The same could be said for an elderly gentleman who paid his wife daily visits, expressing his love from the other side of the glass. Sam and Shirley Kleiman were a charming Canadian couple who married in 1950 and had never been apart. Over the years, they built a beautiful life together, reveling in marital bliss and embarking on the extraordinary journey of parenthood.
However, as is often the case, separation, and love go hand in hand—despite knowing their hearts would always beat in unison, the Kleimans had to experience physical separation. Check out their amazing love, patience, commitment, and reunion story. Shirley was transferred to The Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre, a nursing facility for senior citizens, after suffering a stroke and requiring extensive care and treatment. Sam couldn’t bear being apart from his adoring wife, so he paid her frequent visits.
Sam, on the other hand, was overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally saw his wife of 71 years. Every morning after breakfast, he would stop by the nursing home and walk Shirley. The couple would occasionally sit in a quiet place to talk, reflecting on their life together and dreaming of a happy, prosperous future. The considerate husband would occasionally take his wife for a ride around the neighborhood.
Sam never worried about anything with Shirley as his navigator, except hoping for her recovery with all his heart and soul. Mr. Kleiman was sustained by the precious little moments he spent with his wife despite being separated for three years. But everything changed for the world and Sam in 2020, when COVID-19 struck, causing people to be quarantined and placed under lockdown. As social distance became the norm, the Winnipeg couple’s daily visits were also impacted.
The assisted living facility restricted physical contact between residents and visitors after the new safety measures were implemented. The Kleiman were disappointed because Sam could no longer take his wife for long walks or drives around the neighborhood. Shirley’s nursing center began following the new protocols in March 2020 to prevent the spread of the coronavirus pandemic. Even the “new normal” couldn’t keep the couple apart, as Sam was adamant about continuing his daily visits. So, after much deliberation, Sam drove to the southwest Winnipeg assisted living facility, drew a chair near the window, and sat, waiting for his wife.
Shirley was wheeled out of her bedroom and brought close to her husband, who was standing on the other side of the glass. When Sam, 93, saw his beloved Shirley, he tapped on the window to attract her attention and blew her tender kisses. The 92-year-old lady, who was unable to speak following her stroke, returned her husband’s loving gesture by blowing kisses in his direction.
Shirley was then handed a phone by her nurse to listen to Sam’s voice, who said, “Hello, sweetheart. “Do you realize how much I adore you?” Her face lit up, and her lips curved into his favorite smile, unable to say much due to speech issues caused by her stroke. Even the nursing home staff adored the couple and shared a touching Facebook post with their photo. “How can a single image be both heartwarming and heartbreaking?
In any case (sic), these two lovebirds blowing goodbye kisses are to be envied! ”
Look at the caption. Sam believed he wasn’t separated from his beloved wife even with a glass wall between them because their marriage was built on love and trust. Any trust-based relationship, according to the Canadian, is strong enough to overcome the odds. He went on to say:
Together, Sam and Shirley faced numerous challenges, including the deaths of two of their three children. But their love, commitment, and devotion kept them going, and they learned to confide in one another. After being separated for four years, the Kleimans were reunited in January 2022—a momentous occasion that the Simkins Center warmly celebrated. According to nursing home staff, Shirley was placed in isolation after contracting COVID-19, which meant her husband could no longer visit her.
Sam, on the other hand, was overjoyed and breathed a sigh of relief when he finally saw his wife of 71 years. Shirley arrived in her wheelchair and finally met her husband after what seemed like an eternity. Their touching reunion was documented in a tweet that read, “My baba has been released from Covid protocol and reunited with my zaida. They’ve been together for 71 years and are still going strong (sic).”