Grandma in isolation sees granddaughter through glass door on wedding day
Though Shauna Varner and Travis Scepaniak's wedding day looked far different from the one they imagined, there was one person who had to be a part of it no matter what: Grandma Janis.
But Shauna's beloved grandmother -- who was scheduled to read at the couple's wedding -- isn't able to leave Country Manor's Rapid Recovery & Aquatic Center in Sartell, Minnesota. The facility has been on a no-admittance policy since mid-March, Emily Frericks, director of public relations and marketing, told "Good Morning America."
Frericks said Shauna's dad, Jeff Varner, reached out about the April 25 wedding. Varner sent Frericks the reading Grandma Janis was supposed to have done and practiced together and sent the recording to the bride as a surprise. And, so Janis could see Shauna on her wedding day, the staff had them "visit" through the glass door of Country Manor.
The night before the wedding, Grandma Janis was so excited, Frericks said, "she was worried she wouldn’t get much sleep with all the anticipation."
On the big day, staff took care to help Grandma Janis pick out an outfit and shoes and have her hair done.
"With our salon services being shut down, it took some joint effort from us non-professionals to get her hair fixed, but she was pleased with the final product, which is all that matters," Frericks said. "She felt beautiful, which was a rewarding feeling for staff."
Frericks hopes the video will be something the family cherishes forever.
"I too, am planning a wedding in this midst of these challenging times, and my heart broke for Shauna and Travis," she said. "My grandma, who was my best friend, passed shortly 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."
