With 87-year-old Terry Kaide looking on, Gov. Linda Lingle today signed into law a bill that allows Kaide and her husband — married for 63 years but kept apart the last two by state regulations — to live together in the same care home on the Big Island.

Terry Kaide celebrated her birthday last night with family in Kailua, where she awaited Lingle's signing of the bill. Sidney, 89, remains on the Big Island.

Sidney, a retired Hilo contractor, has required care since 2003, when he suffered a stroke that left him bedridden.

Two years ago, Terry needed back surgery, and complications left her needing skilled nursing care herself.

But even though there was an empty bed in her husband's room, she couldn't stay at that care home because the law didn't allow two people in a residential foster care facility to pay privately.

So she moved into another care home — and with the help of her daughters began to campaign for a change in state law.

The state Department of Human Services said this afternoon that all applicable paperwork has been cleared and the Kaides are eligible to be reunited immediately.

"If it's possible she can move in to the empty bed next to my dad, we'll do it," daughter Charlotte Kaide told the Advertiser yesterday.

"That will be so awesome. If that's the case, we'll fly back tomorrow."