Sweet photographs of a husband and wife of nearly 70 years show the moment they shared their first kiss in ten months after being seperated by coronavirus.
Norman Knowles, 93, moved into Woodlands Westhoughton Dementia Care Home in Bolton, Lancashire, to be with his wife Constance, 92, after the pair were separated by the pandemic.
The couple were never apart for more than a few days after their wedding in March 1951, and they worked together at a household store until their retirement.
Norman used to regularly visit Constance for dinners at her care home where she has lived since 2017 because she suffers from vascular dementia.
But since March he has only been able to visit her through a window twice, only holding her hand while wearing a plastic glove through a small opening.
Norman Knowles, 93, moved into Woodlands Westhoughton Dementia Care Home in Bolton, Lancashire, to be with his wife Constance, 92, after the pair were separated by the pandemic. Pictured, the couple’s first kiss in ten months
The besotted couple met at a Sunday school dance in Bolton in 1949 before tying the knot (pictured) on March 31, 1951
Norman was hospitalised last month for three weeks to replace his knee and later caught Covid and was forced to self-isolate for six more weeks.
While in hospital he told his daughter Valerie Fogg, 68, that as long as he could see his wife he would be happy.
In a tear-jerking reunion, Norman decided to move into the care home on November 20 so he could be by his wife’s side.
He brought her flowers and the couple shared a loving kiss for the first time in ten months.
Norman said: ‘It feels very nice because we’ve been married nearly 70 years and we still are good friends and she’s still my wife and we’re happy together.
‘It’s lovely to be with her, we’ve been together so long and it didn’t feel right to be apart.’
The couple were never apart for more than a few days after their wedding in March 1951, and they worked together at a household store until their retirement. Pictured, Norman brought his wife flowers when he moved in
His daughter Valerie, a retired care home worker herself, described the emotional moment which left her in fits of tears.
She said that it was the first time she’d seen them smile like that all year.
Grandmother-of-three Valerie, from Blackburn, Lancs., said: ‘Dad was recently in hospital for three weeks for a new knee and all he said is as long he could see mum one more time he would be happy.
‘It’s been so difficult with Covid knowing they were separated, they were married 70 years and have always worked and lived together.
‘And suddenly they only saw each other twice in nine months – It was the longest they’ve ever been apart.
‘I cried and cried and cried when I saw. We all needed a hankie because it was so touching.
Pictured, the couple on Norman’s 84th birthday. His daughter Valerie, a retired care home worker herself, described the emotional moment which left her in fits of tears. She said that it was the first time she’d seen them smile like that all year
In a tear-jerking reunion, Norman decided to move into the care home on November 20 so he could be by his wife’s side. He brought her flowers and the couple shared a loving kiss for the first time in ten months
‘It was so amazing, they belong together. It was the first time I’ve seen them smile like that all year – it was such a beautiful moment.’
The besotted couple met at a Sunday school dance in Bolton in 1949 before tying the knot on March 31, 1951.
They then moved to Leigh in the 50s where they owned a household store and worked tirelessly by each other’s side until they retired around 30 years ago.
Tragically, Constance began to show signs of dementia around 15 years ago and Norman took care of her for a decade before she was admitted to the home.
Valerie added: ‘Dad looked after mum for 10 years before we realised it was too much.
The couple moved to Leigh in the 50s where they owned a household store and worked tirelessly by each other’s side until they retired around 30 years ago
‘It’s been a good marriage, full of love. I’ve never heard them ever really fall out, they’ve always been happy.
‘They worked together in a household store in Leigh and were never apart.
‘Dad went into the residential home about 12 months ago. Mum went into Woodlands three years ago.
‘But he said he wanted to be with her at the care home because that would make him happy.’
Woodlands Care Home manager, Janet Hope, said: ‘Norman used to come regularly to see her so it was so difficult for him when they couldn’t see each other due to Covid.
‘But when they finally were together it was a massive celebration – it was really heart-warming.’