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An 83-year-old's heartwarming reaction to finally leaving his assisted living facility where he has been largely confined for nearly two years during the COVID pandemic has brought joy online.
Distinguished indie film consultant Robert Hawk's excited response was shared by his niece in a viral video that has reached 482,000 views. The outing has melted hearts online, as viewers pointed out the purity of his enthusiastic reaction.
"My almost 84-year-old uncle has only left his assisted living facility twice since August 2020," wrote niece Jessica Ippolito, a teacher from New Jersey.
Via FaceTime, she told him that they planned to take him out to lunch, inducing him to throw himself backwards and gasp. "I actually go out to lunch?" he asked.
"Now that restrictions are eased and health issues are stable, we could finally take him out again without him having to quarantine," wrote Ippolito.
Hawk responded in disbelief to the news, two years in the making. "No way," he said. "Oh I'm so excited," he added before promising to "shave and everything," ahead of the big outing.
@myteacherface My heart ❤️ (he’s kind of famous too: Film Hawk) #independentfilms #sundance #clerks @myteacherface
♬ original sound - MyTeacherFace
Ippolito explained in a comment that she did take her uncle out once over that time period, but he was left needing to quarantine for 10 days after.
Across the U.S., families have been left with elderly-member-shaped holes in their daily lives thanks to the COVID-19 pandemic, with studies showing that loneliness doubled for older adults in the first few months. With restrictions across states easing, things are looking better for quality family time again.
A following clip showed Hawk ready and waiting outside his assisted living facility with his walker, while another clip showed the results of their special lunch together. He had a hot fudge sundae, almost as big as his own head.
Hawk is a veteran of the indie movie industry, as a well-credited consultant to many loved indie films. In fact, he's been credited as the man who brought many new voices to the attention of the Sundance Film Festival and even had a documentary made about his life back in 2017. Now, Hawk can add TikTok star to his resume.
Viewers rushed to share their adoration for Hawk and the heartwarming family moment in comments left on the video.
"This is everything," wrote one user.
"This both hurts my heart and fills it at the same time," added another.
"Love his reaction! Pure joy," noted another, while one viewer dubbed Hawk "too precious."
Ippolito has since reassured viewers that Hawk is now "comfortable with re-entering society" and "has LOTS of outings planned."
