Oklahoma couple could finally see their five-year-old daughter after being separated for ten months. They dropped their child to her grandparents on New Year's Eve, not realizing that it would take that long to see her again.
Not seen daughter for almost one year
NBC affiliate KFOR reported that John and Vanesa Galvan had not seen their daughter, Samantha, for almost one year. Now, they are days away from hugging their baby again. John told the outlet that it had been a nightmare for them because they felt like the government has forgotten about their child.
He said that the government would bend over backward if "an athlete or something like that" would have to go somewhere.
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Left the girl to her grandparents on New Year's Eve
The outlet said that the couple left Samantha off in Columbia, where her grandparents live, on New Year's Eve. They were hoping the little girl could learn about her family's culture before they bring her home in the summer for good.
Three months later, COVID-19 has caused many countries to close their borders and allow travel restrictions. The Galvans thought that Columbia's restrictions would only last for a few months. However, their planned visit in April was pushed back due to the health crisis.
Desperately want to get daughter back home
When it happened, the couple desperately searched for ways to get Samantha home. John told NBC affiliate KXAS-TV that there were no dates, so they started to panic upon thinking that the lockdown is getting longer and longer. He added that their daughter barely speaks English anymore.
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Soon, the couple found out that their child could only go home to them on a humanitarian flight. However, since Samantha would have to travel alone, the parents were not convinced to let it happen.
Missing many milestones
In the end, they decided to wait so that they could get her instead. John also shared that they have already missed out on many of Samantha's milestones. He told KXAS that apart from missing the Fourth of July, her birthday, Father's Day, now the little girl's tooth is almost falling.
John also told KFOR that they miss the precious everyday moments they shared with their daughter. He explained that Samantha used to knock on their door at bedtime to sleep near them. They were heartbroken for not having her there with them on those nights for ten months.
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This weekend, John finally gets to travel to Columbia to pick up Samantha after being separated for ten long months with her. He told KFOR that a lot awaits his daughter at home. They will give her a ton of affection, but apart from that, they have a lot of special homecoming gifts for her.
John said that they bought a new playhouse for her and are planning on having a drive-by parade with their neighbors. He added that all they want is to have her back in their arms again.
