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Coronavirus: Shielding teens reunited with heartwarming marriage proposal

Steven and Lillie meet face to face for the first time in months, having been in constant contact via phone and video calls.

Frazer Maude austistic couple shielding
Image: Steven and Lillie met at their special school in Llandudno on Valentine's Day last year
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The COVID-19 pandemic, and the lockdown that came with it, has forced so many people apart.

People like 16-year-olds Steven and Lillie in North Wales.

Steven has autism and ADHD.

Lillie also has autism, as well as a rare genetic chromosome disorder and learning disabilities.

They met at their special school in Llandudno, appropriately enough, on Valentine's Day last year - and they have been seeing each other ever since.

Lillie and Steven
Image: Steven and Lillie's parents say lockdown has been a struggle

They have been in constant touch during the COVID-19 crisis via phone and video calls.

But today, as a special surprise for Lillie, they have met face to face for the first time in months.

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"Sad" is how Steven describes his feelings without Lillie.

"She's funny, she buys me presents, and she's beautiful," he says as they enjoy their lunch together.

Lillie summed up her frustrations in her usual forthright fashion.

"Stupid COVID, it's rubbish!" she says.

Lillie's mum Emma Dodd says it has been a struggle during lockdown.

"It feels like we've had to literally lock her up for lockdown," she says.

"The only time Lillie's been out of the house before now is for the regular operations she needs as part of her complex care needs."

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Coronavirus: Shielding advice ends

Both families say living with autistic children is never easy, but that the COVID-19 restrictions have added extra stress to all their lives.

But today, all that was forgotten.

"It's just heartwarming to see them together," says Steven's grandmother and guardian Jean Bagley, with a huge smile.

"All they wanted was to see each other and have a hug. A little bit of normality."

And Steven's surprise didn't end with dessert. There was a romantic, down on one knee proposal to get married "when we get older".

They share another hug as they leave their special lunch date.

And hope that they won't have to wait six months for another.