A couple separated during the COVID-19 pandemic were reunited with a surprise dinner date to mark their milestone Blue Sapphire anniversary.
Chrystine and Michael Girvan celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary at Coppice Lodge care home in Arnold. The couple, who have been separated for months due to the coronavirus pandemic, were reunited for a private candle-lit dinner in the vintage tearoom organised by the care team.
Chrystine moved into the care home in October 2020 and, due to government guidelines, Michael had been unable to visit. The pair missed each other so much that Michael decided to also move to Coppice Lodge to be closer to his wife and be able hold her in his arms once more.
Michael and the Coppice Lodge care team agreed to keep his arrival at the home a secret from his wife in order to make their anniversary even more special. On the day, Chrystine was thrilled to find the tearoom decorated in beautiful blue balloons, bunches of flowers, bunting, fairy lights and a private, candle-lit table for two with her husband sat waiting for her.
The emotional reunion left the care team crying with happiness as they watched the couple share a loving hug and kiss before sitting down to a delicious three-course meal including a full roast dinner and Chrystine’s favourite dessert, cream cake.
Michael said: “I simply couldn’t ask for more, the staff at Coppice Lodge have been incredibly thoughtful, our date was wonderful – I can’t thank them enough for what they did to help us celebrate our 65th wedding anniversary!”
Chrystine added: “I am thrilled to be reunited with Michael, it means to world to me that he has moved into Coppice Lodge! Our date was lovely, everybody clearly worked very hard to pull this together, our table setting was beautiful!”
Lifestyle Manager, Lorna Thornley, who helped to put the surprise date together, said: “We are so pleased we could make Michael and Chrystine’s anniversary so special. They are the definition of soulmates and I am delighted to see how much they enjoyed their special meal.”
Coppice Lodge, operated by Ideal Carehomes, is a residential and dementia care home boasting a hair salon, cinema room and spacious lounges overlooking landscaped sensory gardens.
