The Notebook is one of the most iconic love stories in American pop culture. Few can say they've watched the 2004 release (written by author Nicholas Sparks) and not shed a tear as the love story between Ally and Noah is told. And for TikToker Noel Delano's (@noeldelano) 80-year-old grandparents, their first time seeing the film led to a flood of tears for them both. In a touching post, Noel shared a video of the couple snuggled up laying side by side on the couch together watching the movie.
"The purest moment watching my grandparents watch the notebook for the first time. They have been together since they were 14, they are 80 now," she writes in the video. "They cried through the whole movie and talked about all the good memories from when they were young together."
As one of the final scenes from The Notebook plays on the TV--when Ally's memory briefly returns, and she and Noah have a few moments together to express their love before Ally's dementia steals her away again. Noel pans the camera over to them, and her grandpa is wiping away tears with a tissue as her grandma leans into him, wiping away her own tears. Noel continues to share a sad update within her caption that makes the tender moment between them even more meaningful. "This was filmed shortly before my grandpa had a stroke that left him without his speech and mobility," she added.
Noel's heart wrenching video received a super emotional response from TikTok viewers. "Them laying together on the couch 😭✋," one wrote. Another added, "Wow, 66 years of love 🥺." Many expressed their condolences for her grandpa. "Oh no I’m sorry about your grandpas stroke ❤️🩹🫂," one commented. And another shared, "Omg I love them so much. And they look amazing!!! I pray your grandfather recovers fully. ❤️🙏🏻." Another added that it was a gift this was captured for Noel's grandmother. "I’ve very happy ur grandma got this moment before he couldn’t speak anymore. To hear those sweet memories that go through his mind and actually say it to her," one wrote.
Her post was watched by so many people on TikTok who wanted to know more about her grandparents' relationship, and what the secret to their love has been--and Noel delivered. She shared another video featuring a photo montage of the couple throughout their lives set to Billie Holiday's "I'll Be Seeing You", also featured in The Notebook. The photos include old school portraits, a school dance where they both are dressed in their best with boutonnieres. Other shots show her both her grandma and grandpa's military service, and her grandmother holding a baby.
@noeldelano Replying to @𝖐𝖆𝖗𝖒𝖆🌙🖤🐈⬛✨
This post also deeply impacted viewers who were invested in their relationship from Noel's first video. "Wowwww you’re grandma is so beautiful and your grandpa is so handsome. They look so perfect for each other ❤️," one viewer commented. Another touched TikToker added, "this is beyond sweet, they’re beautiful. thank you for sharing❤️."
J. R. R. Tolkien in the 1920s
J.R.R Tolkien during his time in the British Army (1915-1920)
