Valentine’s Day is typically celebrated as a day when loved ones get together to tell one another how they truly feel. However, some people are not as fortunate as others in having their Valentine physically present. That’s why one New York man decided to take a couple into the apartment he shared with his partner for the last 60 years, who had passed away in December.
The gorgeous West Village apartment shows a lifetime of love and achievements, especially when people in the comments discovered who this man’s partner was. It goes to show just how small the internet truly is.
The above video was posted to the TikTok account @jess.mcgirr, whose name is listed on the account as Jess, and shows off a rather wholesome story. On the video itself, she wrote, “When I was walking home from the bar tonight I asked an old man if he had a Valentine and he told me his Valentine died in December. He then invited us into his apartment and shows us the 60 years of lover they shared here in the West Village.”
She then documents how the man she was speaking about opened the doors of his apartment to reveal what might be better described as a personal museum of items. It appears as though some kind of art or fixture is placed around every inch of available space on the walls and even bleeds onto the tables beneath them. What really caught the attention of some of those who replied was some of the Mickey Mouse memorabilia.
In fact, one person commented and said, “His partner was Robert Heide?!” to which Jess responded with, “Yes !” According to Wikipedia, Robert Heide was a playwright and author who collaborated with Andy Warhol and helped author various books on the evolution of Disney’s Mickey Mouse. He passed away in December of 2025.
West Village Love Embodied in 60-Year-Old Apartment
Jess comments on her own video and says that she was initially hesitant about following the man to his apartment, saying, “I did not want to go up there but im so happy we did.” Other commenters were also happy that they did, with one person saying, “Aww his Valentine sent the 2 of you so he wouldn’t be alone 🥺“
My personal favorite reply comments on the man’s presence within the West Village, saying, “Love this so much 🖤 Also if he’s been there 60 years the apartment might even be rent control, not just stabilized. People like him created the West Village as we know it, I bet he has amazing stories.” Hopefully, he can continue to share his life and experiences with others the same way he did with Jess.
