A woman dining at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day has captured an untold and heartbreaking element of the romantic holiday.
Chasidy Gwaltney, from Corpus Christi in Texas, was eating lunch on February 14 when she spotted an widowed elderly man sharing a meal with his late wife’s ashes.
The man appeared to be in tears as he sat alone with two wine glasses, what appeared to be an urn and a Valentine’s greeting card with the words ‘you & me’ on the cover.
A woman dining at a restaurant on Valentine’s Day shared a heartbreaking image of a widower eating alone (pictured)
Chasidy Gwaltney, (pictured) from Corpus Christi in Texas, was eating lunch on February 14 when she spotted an widowed elderly man sharing a meal with his late wife’s ashes
Ms Gwaltney shared the tragic photograph online with a heartfelt reminder to appreciate love while it is still around.
‘We are all guilty of taking our other half for granted from time to time. We may forget to give a goodbye kiss, say I love you or just be so caught up in what we are doing at the moment that we don’t notice the very little things that mean so much to our special someone,’ Ms Gwaltney said.
‘I saw something today that has made me remember that we won’t always have each other to hold, talk to, love, play with or even just aggravate every now and then. This picture speaks loudly and it may hurt your heart as it has mine.’
The US woman pointed out the man was still so in love with his late wife he continued to wine and dine her even after her death.
‘This man looks like he is spending Valentine’s Day alone at first glance but that is actually his wife in that very beautiful bottle sitting on the table. Apparently his love for her was and still is very strong as he takes her ashes out for a Valentine’s lunch date together,’ she added.
The US woman pointed out the man was still so in love with his late wife he continued to wine and dine her even after her death (Stock image)
‘He even bought her a glass of wine… Please love your Sweetheart while you have the opportunity, you never know what tomorrow will bring or take away!’
The heart-wrenching photograph has since gone viral and has attracted 445,000 likes and over 360,000 shares.
Thousands of online romanticists even tagged their lovers in the post to remind them they are appreciated.
‘He is living proof that love never dies even after we’re gone,’ one woman wrote.
‘I understand his feelings completely. My husband passed away 12 years ago. I miss him every day,’ another said.