Timberland boots. The loving handwritten messages created by Hamel that were plastered on them gave the shoes special significance.
Suzanne Somers at the 7th Biennial UNICEF Ball in Beverly Hills, California on April 14, 2018 | Source: Getty Images
The notes on the shoes spoke to the couple's unconditional and immortal love and included an inside reference alluding to the duo's active love life: "in love forever" and "twice a day." The designer boots also had red and pink Picasso-esque drawings of a man and woman and squiggly shapes.
Concerning why Somers was buried in the one-of-a-kind shoes, Hamel recalled how he initially purchased the boots for Somers because of their shared love of hiking. He then decided to kit the boots out with unique drawings and notes to personalize them for her and represent their life together. According to Hamel, Somers being buried in her Timbalands was because:
"Every time she put on the Timbalands, she said, 'I am wearing you, and my boots will keep me safe.'"
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel posing for a picture in Los Angeles, California in 1980. | Source: Getty Images
In the same month Somers passed away, her husband, who she always felt safe with, shared that he had a vision of her days after her demise. Of what he saw, Hamel revealed:
"I was half asleep when I had a vision that she was in bed with me and turned around and looked right at me—I could feel her presence, I felt she was there...I feel in someway she was visiting me."
A few days after Somers' death, her spirit, which recently paid a visit to her beloved spouse, was celebrated by Hamel and their loved ones. On October 18, they all gathered with a beautifully decorated and lit-up cake as they sang happy birthday to the late star.
In the video, Hamel, who stands front and center in a pink shirt, sings his heart out with gusto as he looks at the camera. Toward the end of the video, Hamel leads the group as they express their love for Somers, and after clapping, the 87-year-old covers his face with his hands and looks down.
Suzanne Somers and Alan Hamel at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on January 24, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
As for how Hamel has been dealing with the loss of the love of his life, though he admitted to finding it incredibly tough, he luckily has the love and support of his family. While speaking about his feelings after Somers' passing, Hamel disclosed:
"I lost half of me. We were one..."
Hamel had uttered those words as part of his social media tribute to his late wife. In the video, he reflected on their journey together and shared his thoughts on the concept of an afterlife while talking about him still feeling his wife's presence.
Suzanne Somers at the 28th Annual Palm Springs International Film Awards Gala in Palm Springs, California on January 2, 2017 | Source: Getty Images
Although, naturally, Hamel and his family are going through an extremely challenging time as they continue to mourn the loss of Somers, what has been helpful is the outpouring of love and support from fans. As stated by Somers' son, Bruce Jr.:
"The overwhelming outpouring of love from everyone is heartfelt..."
Suzanne Somers and Bruce Somers Jr. at her Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony in Hollywood, California on January 24, 2003 | Source: Getty Images
As such, Somers' family has created a tribute book where fans can add their dedications and messages to the "Step by Step" talent. Regarding what Hamel plans to do to honor his late wife further, he said he is committed to ensuring the upkeep and running of Somers' family-run company, which he said was her dying wish.
ncG1vNJzZmimlazAb63MqKSapZFjsLC5jm1ocGxpZXq0wdmapaedXai8rrHRrGShraOXrq%2BwjKGYnWWRYsOqv8iopWegpKK5