Emotions were high at Sydney Airport today as families separated by the pandemic, reunited for the first time in months.
It’s been well over a year since 12-year-old Isabella Lauaki last got to hug her dad, separated by border closures for the past 16-months.
Touching down on the first flight in Australia as part of the bubble, she and her step-mother Bianca organised a surprise trip to reunite the pair.
“It was very exciting, I’m very excited to see my family here.. I’m really just going to hug him, hold him tight,” she told 1 NEWS.
The Prime Minister said she was "disappointed" to miss seeing the emotional reunions in what she imagined was "like a scene" from the classic 2003 romantic comedy. (Source: Other)
Bianca Lauaki says it’s been “very tough” to be separated for so long from her step-daughter, calling and emailing each other every day.
“I guess through emails and calls. I get along really well with her mum so just calling her while I’m at work,” she says.
“It’s easy for us to say it’s unfair but I understand. It’s just so good that it’s over.”
Isabella’s planned to stay for the next four weeks, allowing her some long-awaited quality time with her Australian family.
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