Mom And Son Apart For 500 Days Used Teddy Bears In Each Other's Place

A mother and son using matching teddy bears to fill each other’s place while they were separated by the pandemic for 500 days emotionally reunite and introduce each other’s toy. Since the start of the pandemic, Rebecca Lloyd, 36, from Alexandria, Virginia, had been stuck in China where she and husband Matthew Filippa, 34, had previously lived for almost eight years. In February 2020, Rebecca, Matthew and their son Lincoln, aged three, headed to South Africa to visit Matthew's family, and later that month Rebecca flew back to China for work. Matthew and Lincoln were due to return to Shanghai on March 27, but as COVID-19 took hold, borders closed and Matthew’s company in China shut down, the pair no longer had valid visas. As a result, Rebecca needed to remain in China and keep her job, so that the family could stay afloat. She kept in touch with Lincoln via video calls but Rebecca found speaking to her young son through this format made it difficult to connect. So getting creative, she sourced two identical teddy bears by Heart 2 Heart, a non-profit helping children in rural China have heart surgery they wouldn’t ordinarily be able to have. One bear was sent to Lincoln and another remained with Rebecca. Lincoln took to calling his bear "Mama Teddy," which he carried everywhere and provided Rebecca with a way to connect with her son from afar.
**ADDITIONAL B-ROLL AVAILABLE ON REQUEST**
Release Status:
TV & Digital
Advertising
Location: Alexandria, Virginia, USA
  • Date Acquired08-10-2021
  • Date Filmed07-03-2021
  • OrientationVertical
  • Footage TypeCell Phone
  • Rights TV & Digital, Commercial, Publishing

Mom And Son Apart For 500 Days Used Teddy Bears In Each Other's Place

Order

Childhood Best Friends Reunited After Six Months

Brothers In Nineties Finally Reunited After Year Apart

Mom Collapses In Shock Seeing Son After Two Years

Girl With Cerebral Palsy Reunited With Best Friend

Mom Reunited With 'Miracle' Daughter After COVID-19 Recovery

Best Friend Surprised From Trunk Of Car

Deaf And Blind Dog Instantly Recognizes Returning Grandpa

Best Friend Dogs Reunited After Months Apart

Collie Reacts To Reuniting With Owner After Two Years

Best Friends Reunited After Family Move Cross-Country

Toddler Beams With Joy As He Reunites With Grandparents Through Glass

Mom Falls Back As Daughter Surprises Her After 2 Years On Birthday

Husband Of 63 Years Surprises Wife On Birthday After Quarantine Apart

Newly Vaccinated Son Records Surprise Reunions With Family After 14 Months Apart

Grandmother Realizes Family Not Seen In 18 Months Are Outside On Call

Couple Kept Apart By Pandemic Touch For First Time In 84 Days On Wedding Day

Girl Reunited With Dad After 10 Months Apart

Grandpa Surprises Sister After Half A Decade Apart

Girl Surprised During Show And Tell By Military Dad

Girl Reunited With Family After 10 Month Covid Separation

Military Mom Surprises Daughter At School Lunch Table After First Deployment Apart

Wonder Woman Mom Surprises Family After Guillan-Barre Recovery

Couple Get Married For Second Time So Grandmother Isolating Due To COVID Can Attend

Daughter Dresses As Waiter To Surprise Mom After 18 Months Away

Mom Who Thought Military Son Couldn't Make Wedding Receives Surprise

Toddler Hugs Military Dad For First Time In Eight Months After Deployment

WWII Vet Sees Wife For First Time In Two Months

Sailor's Dad Surprises Her On Return From Deployment

Kids Run To EMS Dad As He Returns From 100 Days On Frontlines