Life in lockdown: Couple facing up to living apart during coronavirus lockdown
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A couple who found love on the internet have come through a coronavirus battle, but don't know when they might be able to see each other again.
Chris Saunderson (51), an editor with Elgin-based The Northern Scot newspaper, lives in Lossiemouth while his accountant partner Donna Webb (51) lives in the small village of Glenavy, 13 miles from Belfast.
They are finding enforced separation tough.
Chris and Donna told their story as part of Inverness Courier publisher Highland News and Media's Life in Lockdown series which launched this week.
Chris said: "We met in February 2019 and have been in a long distance relationship since then.
"We messaged and talked through WhatsApp until we met for the first time in April that year.
"Since then we have gone back and forward to each other, via flights from Inverness Airport to Belfast, and also Stena Line Irish Sea ferry from Cairnryan.
"We last saw each other when I was over on March 20, and on March 23 lockdown came into force. I managed to get a ferry home on Wednesday, March 25."
The couple are both asthmatic, and Chris also has type two diabetes, meaning they need to be socially isolated at this time.
Chris lives with his daughter Emma (22), who works in a gym in Elgin and is currently furloughed.
He also has another daughter Becky (24), who is a furloughed photographer, and a son Duncan (16) who coronavirus is also keeping him separated from.
"I speak to him every day by video chat but he hasn't been able to visit since lockdown, although I have spoken to him while social distancing," Chris said.
"He had pneumonia as a young child, so his immune system is not the greatest at times and it's best if he remains within the one household during this period and reduces the number of people he has contact with.
"The last few weeks have been pretty stressful as Donna developed a persistent cough and generally felt unwell for a period of three to four weeks.
"She has been self-isolating at home alone, although she has family living close by who have helped with food shopping.
"She is now on the mend physically, but has also been furloughed by her company. Her company in Northern Ireland is one of many facing an uncertain future."
Donna had been due to spend a week at Easter with Chris in Lossiemouth and they had been due to go on a hiking holiday to the west coast of Ireland at the end of May.
"But that won't happen now," Chris said.
"It is pretty uncertain when we will get to see each other again, and are waiting on the Scottish and UK governments reviewing lockdown measures and the next steps before we can judge when we will be able to travel.
"We spend a lot of time on WhatsApp video calls, even going as far as movie nights whereby we watch a film on Netflix while talking on WhatsApp."
Donna said: "As you can imagine lockdown has brought a new way of life for so many people, especially for those who are separated by distance.
"I was very lucky that Chris got to visit me for a few days before lockdown came into force.
"It was very difficult to say goodbye because neither of us knew realistically when we would get to see each other again. That has to be one of the hardest goodbyes that we have encountered.
"Not long into lockdown I developed virus-like symptoms and spent the next five weeks sick.
"Being sick is difficult at the best of times but when you live alone it's even tougher.
"My son and daughter left food at the door ensuring at least that I ate. Neighbours have been great for doing food shopping and enquiring after my health.
"Chris has been my rock throughout the period of time I was sick. God bless WhatsApp which has been our lifeline, not only during our relationship but especially during lockdown.
"He was there to help and encourage me emotionally during some very difficult days and nights when I struggled most. Many a tear was shed not only for being sick but missing my friends, family and, of course, Chris.
"We have a great routine going during lockdown now from taking part in Facebook quizzes with other family members to enjoying date nights in the evening where a Netflix movie will at least distract you from the real world, if only for a few hours.
"As much as I would love to see Chris again face-to-face I am aware of the health implications and know that by staying at home and being apart we are doing our bit to stay safe and help protect the NHS staff and all the people working on the frontline to help combat this terrible virus."
Do you have a story about life in lockdown you would like to share?
Contact Louise Glen at louise.glen@hnmedia.co.uk or on 01463 233059.
Alternatively contact via text or Whatsapp on 07496 491030 or through the Inverness Courier Facebook page by clicking this link.
