Couple Gets Isolated Grandma To Be Part Of Wedding Day

Aug 18, 2020 by apost team

April 25, 2020, was Shauna Varner and Travis Scepaniak's wedding day. Although things were very different from what they had imagined, the couple from Minnesota was willing to go to the ends of the earth for one thing. That is, having their grandma, Janis, as part of their wedding celebration

The COVID-19 pandemic has intensified the loneliness of the elderly living in nursing homes because many have implemented no-admittance policies to protect these vulnerable members of the community. As Insider reports, Grandma Janis happens to be one of the people separated from her family since mid-March when a lockdown was implemented at County Manor's Rapid Recover & Aquatic Center, where she is a resident.

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Jeff Varner, Shauna's dad, knew that after many of his daughters' plans for a grand wedding failed, the one thing that would make her very happy was if her grandma was still somehow part of her big day.

That is why he talked to the director of public relations and marketing at County Manor, Miss Emily Frericks, ahead of the wedding, and explained his daughter's wish. Mr. Varner also informed Frericks of their plan for Janis to read a passage through the facility's glass door. Janis got wind of the plans for the big day on the night before, and "She was so excited she didn't think she could be able to sleep," Frericks explained.

The nursing home staff were delighted to help Janis attend her granddaughter's wedding. They helped her pick the best outfit, fixed her hair the night before, and did her makeup in the morning. The staff ensured she looked and felt her best and Frericks added that it felt like they were prepping her for her wedding.

The night before, Frericks also helped Janis prepare for the reading; she then recorded it and sent it as a surprise to the couple. Although they would have loved Janis to do the reading from the front door window where she sat looking out to the couple, it would have been hard for them to hear. When the bride and groom arrived, the song Marry Me was playing, and the emotion in Janis' eyes was clear to all the staff.

"The moment the bride stepped out of the car, the love radiated between them," the nursing home shared. "We made plans to let this once-in-lifetime moment happen while ensuring Janis and all involved were safe." Frericks was kind enough to record the entire visit, and she hopes that it is a memory that the family will cherish forever.

Frericks is familiar with the desire to have your grandmother as part of your big day. She is also planning her wedding amidst these challenging times and would have loved to have her grandma there. She says, "My grandma, who was my best friend, passed before I became engaged. I would give anything to have her part of my wedding day. I wanted to do everything I could to make that happen for Shauna and Janis."

"We live in tough times now, and I am sure that a feel-good story may remind somebody that there is still love and light around us," Frericks said.

As everybody struggles through the pandemic, it is easy to lament and wish that things were back to normal. But you don't have to, a little positivity and creativity could change the narrative for you. Spread the love and light by sharing this feel-good story with someone you love.