An Aldergrove grandpa found just about the only way he could see his grandson on his birthday during a pandemic 鈥� in a full hazmat suit.
As Jace celebrated being three years old Wednesday (April 15), Douglas Rae 鈥搘hom he calls 鈥淧apa鈥� 鈥� couldn鈥檛 resist a surprise visit to his quarantine-themed birthday party at home.
Jace鈥檚 family of four was disappointed knowing they couldn鈥檛 throw him a birthday bash due to a provincial health ban limiting large gatherings to prevent COVID-19 spread.
But they still wanted Jace to have a momentous celebration, said mother Karli Benetta.
鈥淪o we had to get a little creative,鈥� she emphasized.
First, they hung a special black and yellow sign, that read: 鈥淨uarantine third birthday party! None of you are invited.鈥�
Then, unbeknownst to the household, 鈥淧apa came to visit in head-to-toe Hazmat,鈥� Benetta retold.
鈥淗e surprised us all,鈥� she said.
It had been nearly five weeks since anyone in their immediate family had seen the grandfather, who was self-isolating out of precaution, due to his age.
But 鈥渉e wanted to go the extra mile and get a hug from his grandson 鈥� in the safest way possible,鈥� Mom explained, saying he had previously acquired the hazardous materials suit from a old job.
Papa made quite the entrance, beaming in an all-blue suit, holding colourful balloons for his grandson.
鈥淗ey! We can have a hug now,鈥� Papa exclaimed, arms-out toward Jace.
鈥淲hat are you wearing?鈥� The three-year-old questioned him multiple times, hugging back.
鈥淚t鈥檚 the only way I could hug you,鈥� Papa replied.
Jace鈥檚 mother thinks her son enjoyed his intimate celebration, just as much as he would have any other birthday.
He still 鈥渄oesn鈥檛 fully understand why grandpa can鈥檛 just give him a hug,鈥� Mom said.
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