ORANGE COUNTY, Fla. – It may not be ideal, but imagine getting to see a loved one even just for a few minutes through a glass just to say hello.

The Santiago Brothers are off to see their father, Jose.

“It seems I was robbed of together time with him,” Nelson Santiago said about his father.

Jose Santiago is alive and well, but in a way you can say, he’s guarded from the world.

“That hug means so much to him," Nelson's brother Joe said. "You know he almost cries when we hug him.”

For his 99th birthday Jose won’t get a hug, but he will get a mini-party just a few feet from his family through a glass door.

“Love you too dad," Nelson shouts to his father.

Jose lives at the Palm Garden Assisted Living Facility. His family is allowed this type of visit once every two weeks for about 15-20 minutes. Due to COVID restrictions, Palm Garden has thought of a way to give families with relatives inside, some family time.

“We have to find a way to keep our residents safe, but to have them be able to celebrate milestones in their life,” Palm Garden Vice President Luke Neumann said.

A poster, cake, and waves from just a few feet away even just for a few minutes is worth the smiles this family get together delivers.

“What I hope they get is that love," Neumann starts to list. "I hope their heart is filled with love and that they appreciate the ability to reconnect,”

“It feels great to see him," Carlos said looking at his father. "To know that he is alive, and that we still have him here with us that is the main thing.”

With a nurse holding a phone to Jose’s ear, he’s able to speak to his family.

“He’s missing us he’s saying,” Joe Santiago said, translating. 

But he can still see them, and hopefully for at least another year. Jose will then be 100.

Gov. Ron DeSantis will meet with a task force on Friday to discuss safe and limited reopening for long term care facilities.