When couples divorce, many exes shut the door, lock it, and discard the key, signifying not just the end of a chapter, but the conclusion of the entire story.
However, for Megan Tai’s parents, divorce turned out to be a new beginning.
Nearly three decades later, her father reentered her mother’s life after she received a Stage 4 endometrial cancer diagnosis.
He didn’t merely show up; he stayed by her side, honoring their past love, loyalty, and vows when she needed support the most.
A Cancer Diagnosis Rekindles Lost Love.
Megan’s parents first crossed paths over 30 years ago in California, where her father, originally from Hawaii, was stationed during his military service. They fell in love and welcomed two children, Megan and her older brother. However, shortly after Megan’s birth, the couple separated; her father returned to Hawaii while her mother took on the role of a single parent, supporting the family on her salary as an elementary school teacher.
For more than two decades, their lives remained apart until a devastating cancer diagnosis changed everything.
“Fast forward 20+ years to my mother’s diagnosis—my father was one of the first by her side when she was released from the hospital.”
Megan, who works full-time in domestic violence services and is also a graduate student in Marriage and Family Therapy, moved back in with her mother to provide support. Overwhelmed by the demands of caregiving alongside her job and studies, Megan found herself struggling.
In a remarkable act of love, her father stepped in. He left his life in Hawaii, flew back to California, and moved in to help.
TikTok Video Goes Viral
In a poignant TikTok clip, Megan shares moments of her parents confronting cancer together. The 20-second video delivers an emotional impact, captioned:
“POV: Your parents have been divorced for 20+ years, and your dad’s still the first one there when your mom gets diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer.”
The video showcases Megan’s dad lovingly assisting his ex-wife with exercises, helping her up the stairs, and spending quality time with her, whether reading together or playing video games.
According to Megan’s GoFundMe page, this marks the first time in her 27 years that she’s witnessed her parents living together under one roof.
“He did everything—helped her exercise (even when she felt she couldn’t), cooked her meals, took her on drives, picked up her medications, and so much more,” Megan writes. “They talked for hours, bickered as if they were still married, and laughed.”
“They helped me see them as they were when they were younger.”
Through this experience, they not only supported her mother’s healing but also helped address a lot of Megan’s childhood trauma.
Reaction to the Video
The video has gained an incredible 8.1 million views in just one week. Because…LOVE. While they may not be romantically involved anymore, it’s clear that love still lingers.
Megan’s parents aren’t alone in honoring the life and love they once shared; many others have shared similar stories.
“My parents divorced 30 years ago, and when my mom was on her deathbed, my dad visited often with goodies, and they told each other they loved each other,” shared Hi_Dee Aye.
MVP10210 commented, “My father held her hand when she passed. They were so close. Divorced for 25 years by that point. I never saw my father cry until that woman died.”
“Parents divorced over 20 years ago. Dad was hospitalized for 2 weeks, and my mom insisted he stay with her after he was released so he wouldn’t be alone during recovery. It really is beautiful,” said Lon.
“I took care of my ex-husband during hospice. I loved the life and children he gave me. I owed it to him,” shared Brenda Carmichael Da.
Enduring Bond of Family
Sometimes, people don’t fit as a couple, and marriages come to an end. But as Megan’s parents demonstrate, that doesn’t mean the love simply vanishes.
Regardless of how their marriage ended, it’s evident that Megan’s parents still care deeply for one another—and that love continues to matter, even after more than 20 years.
As one commenter aptly stated, “Love has so many forms. This one is pretty freaking great.”
Their story serves as a powerful reminder of love’s enduring nature and its lasting impact.
Ultimately, Megan’s parents’ journey is a poignant testament to the idea that while marriages may dissolve, the unbreakable bond of family remains forever intact.