Mom without a 'village' befriends 90-year-old neighbor—tears at what's next
When Colleen Bordeaux and her husband moved into their new home, they were greeted by a senior couple who had lived in the house across the street for six decades.
What happened next has melted hearts online, as 39-year-old Bordeaux has become close friends with 90-year-old Shirley Dionzon, who has even stepped in to help with their firstborn.
A video of Dionzon cradling Ryder, now 7 months old, went viral on Instagram (@colleenbordeaux), earning 1.7 million views at the time of writing.
“We haven’t got any family in Los Angeles,” Bordeaux told Newsweek. “Having Shirley and her husband Ken, 92, across the street, especially in the sort of phase of becoming new parents has been wonderful.”
Shirley Dionzon, then 89, holding baby Ryder. Dionzon and Colleen Bordeaux holding Ryder in a carrier.
In 2022, Pew Research Center found that 55 percent of U.S. adults live within an hour of at least some extended family. About 28 percent live near all or most of their extended relatives, while 27 percent live near some. Another 24 percent live close to only a few family members, and 20 percent say none of their extended family live nearby.
An extract from the clip’s caption reads: “If you want a village, start by saying hello to your neighbors and taking an interest in their lives.”
Indeed, not all couples have family support, and for some, the absence of help can even put them off having a child. In 2025, the American Family Survey revealed that around 7 in 10 respondents felt that raising children is unaffordable. But it isn’t just financial pressure—other barriers include a lack of support from partners and extended family, which can make the idea of starting a family feel even more overwhelming.
Bordeaux told Newsweek: “Shirley checked up on me every single day during my pregnancy and even lent me her a cane as I got sciatica at around six or seven months.”
The pair, who met in 2021, have been close ever since and regularly invite one another over for dinner.
When Ryder arrived, Bordeaux’s mom visited for two weeks, and the day she left was described as the “worst day postpartum.”
Dionzon, Bordeaux and Ken, 92, and baby Ryder in both images.
But Dionzon, who has three adult grandchildren, stepped in to help. Not only did she bring over plenty of meals for the new parents, but she also offers a helping hand when Bordeaux has work calls or has to run quick errands.
“It has been super fun having Shirley as I stepped into motherhood and entrepreneurship at the same time, because she’s shown up for those moments where I had an opportunity such as a meeting or a call.
“She’s been able to come over and sit with my baby so I could do that.”
“I’ve had to learn how to take care of a baby all over again,” Dionzon told Newsweek. “I love it.”
According to a study, grandparents in China who cared for their grandchildren had a lower risk of developing dementia compared with those who did not take on caregiving roles.
The findings add to a growing body of research suggesting that practical and social engagement in older age can deliver meaningful health benefits—including greater cognitive resilience.
Bordeaux explained that Dionzon has encouraged her to trust her instincts.
She said: “We often joke that babies are easy and husbands are hard.”
Dionzon added: “With babies, you just have to take it one day at a time. They’re different today and they’re different tomorrow.”
Many new moms are encouraged to go to baby groups, but Bordeaux told Newsweek that she doesn’t think that is the best advice.
She said: “I don’t need other moms that are so busy and overwhelmed. I need like wonderful, retired ladies, like Shirley, in my life that are also able to share some wisdom.
Instagram Reacts
The outpouring of comments highlights just how common these unexpected intergenerational bonds can be, with many users sharing their own stories of neighbors who shaped their childhoods or supported them through parenthood.
“My two senior neighbors are my biggest supporters. I mow their lawn, they watch the kids, I give them veggies from my garden and they give me companionship and guidance. I don’t know what I’d do without them. They bring so much joy to mine and my kids’ lives,” shared one user.
Another wrote: “I was that baby once! We lived in an apartment building when I was a kid and the couple across from us were in their 70s and didn’t have kids. I was at their place ALL THE TIME! Some of my best memories with them.”
“Every child needs bonus grandparents. Who doesn’t need extra love? Especially the kind of love that older people have. How lucky for all involved,” said a third.
As for Bordeaux, she feels incredibly lucky to have found that kind of connection right across the street. And with Shirley and Ken now woven into their daily lives, she hopes more people will take a moment to look up, say hello, and discover the community that might be waiting right next door.
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