Absence is said to make the heart grow fonder. In other words, while we are separated from our loved ones, our feelings of affection and devotion are going to grow stronger. The same might be said for an older gentleman who paid his wife daily visits, expressing his love from the other side of the glass. Sam and Shirley Kleiman were a beautiful Canadian couple who married in 1950 and have never been apart. Over the years, they established a beautiful life together, relishing in marital bliss and embarking on the extraordinary path of parenthood.
However, as is often the case, separation and love go hand in hand—despite knowing their hearts will always beat in sync, the Kleimans had to face physical separation. Check out their amazing love, patience, commitment, and reunion story. Shirley was sent to The Saul & Claribel Simkin Centre, a nursing institution for senior residents, after suffering a stroke and requiring considerable care and therapy. Sam couldn’t bear being apart from his adored wife, so he paid her frequent visits.
Sam, on the other hand, was pleased 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 area to talk, reflecting on their life together and dreaming of a happy, successful future. The considerate husband would periodically take his wife for a trip around the neighborhood.
Sam never worried about anything with Shirley as his navigator, saving hope for her recovery with all his heart and soul. Mr. Kleiman was sustained by the precious little times he had with his wife despite being separated for three years. But everything changed for the world and Sam in 2020, when COVID-19 attacked, 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 banned physical contact between residents and visitors once the new safety measures were implemented. The Kleimans were disappointed since Sam could no longer take his wife for long walks or rides around the neighborhood. Shirley’s nursing center began implementing 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 on continuing his daily visits. So, after much contemplation, Sam drove to the southwest Winnipeg assisted living home, drew a chair near the window, and sat, waiting for his wife.
Shirley was wheeled out of her bedroom and brought near 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 sweet kisses. The 92-year-old lady, who was unable to communicate following her stroke, returned her husband’s kind 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 brightened up, and her lips curved into his favorite smile, unable to speak much due to speech challenges caused by her stroke. Even the nursing home staff adored the couple and made a heartwarming Facebook post with their photo. “How can one image be both heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time?”
In any event (sic), these two lovebirds blowing away kisses are to be admired! “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 connection, according to the Canadian, is strong enough to withstand the odds. He went on to say:
Together, Sam and Shirley overcame tremendous challenges, including the deaths of two of their three children. But their love, loyalty, 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 historic milestone that the Simkins Center heartily celebrated. According to nursing home officials, Shirley was kept in isolation after contracting COVID-19, which meant her husband could no longer see her.
Sam, on the other hand, was pleased 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 a lifetime. Their touching reunion was documented in a tweet that stated, “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).”