True love exists: A 90-year-old man who cycled 2 hours a day for 7 years just to see his sick wife in a retirement home

No distance could stop a 90-year-old man from being with his wife every day, even if it meant biking for two hours to see her at her nursing home. Although he admits that his wife’s health has deteriorated, this does not change his undying love for her and his determination to see her every day.

Nothing is more inspiring and reassuring than hearing stories that prove true love does exist. In a world where separations and divorces are rampant, it is nice to hear stories of lasting love, which show that it is still possible to live happily with your loved one until the very end.

In the Netherlands, a 90-year-old man has kept his vows to be with his sick and healthy wife since their marriage more than six decades ago. Even a 10.6 mile drive from his home in Diepenveen to his wife’s retirement home in Apeldoorn wouldn’t prevent him from seeing her.

Whether it’s a hot summer day or a snowy winter afternoon, Peter Burkhardt doesn’t care: he’ll ride his bike to see his wife. It’s an hour to two hour ride, with the wind often against him, but no matter the circumstances, he makes the trip to be with her for a few hours.

His wife, Clara, has dementia and was placed in a nursing home to receive the care she needed. Unfortunately, the only nursing home that accepted her was over ten miles from her home, and while that might have bothered anyone else, it wasn’t a problem for Peter.

When asked if he thought Clara was aware of the commute he took every day, he admitted that was not the case, as it was outside his area of experience.

For seven years, Peter did everything he could to be with his wife on a daily basis. While alternating between the car and his usual bicycle, he had to stop driving following the refusal of his driving license.

Today, he rides a tricycle after falling from wet leaves on the road. At the bike shop, he was given an undercarriage with an extra wheel, which he now uses. The tricycle has traveled over 24,000 miles, and all to visit Clara.

Seeing Clara is a breath of fresh air for Peter. He tells how she gives him a nice hug from time to time during his visit. Even on Clara’s bad days, Peter still wants to be with her. He said:

“My motivation is in Apeldoorn. I want to see her, hear her voice. When I enter the nursing home, I immediately know where it is. She’s not the same as she was, but I’m still in love with her. Every time I come home, I think it’s a sad moment. »

When asked if he thought Clara was aware of the commute he took every day, he admitted that was not the case, as it was outside his area of experience. Despite this, his occasional hugs and presence are more than enough for him.

Even at 90, Peter wants to continue visiting Clara. Even though his mobility has slowed, he is optimistic that he will be able to continue cycling, and on days of bad weather or minor injuries, he can count on his children to take him along.

Speaking of his parents’ enduring love, one of Peter and Clara’s sons, Wounter Burkhardt, thinks seeing each other keeps them alive. He also hopes his dad’s persistence in being with the love of his life every day will inspire others to keep the love going no matter what.

It is true that Peter’s story has been an inspiration to all who have heard of it. They too shared inspiring love stories, especially those involving the elderly:

“Reminds me of my dad. He couldn’t ride a bike because of his broken hip but insisted on seeing my mother every day even though she very rarely acknowledged him. He said he recognized her and loved her. They had met and fallen in love before the war but had to wait until after to get married. They had been in love for 67 years, married for 62. He died exactly 2 months after his death. His last words were, (in Dutch) “I’m going to your mother’s. – Bea VanWyk McPherson (January 21, 2023)

“We lived near a nursing facility and appreciated a man who came (by bus) to visit his wife. For several years, he took her for walks every day, then pushed her in a wheelchair. All the women I know have prayed for a husband. like that. –Sunne Brandmeyer

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