Discovering the Source of the Music
After introducing themselves, they discovered that the music was playing loudly due to Derek's hearing aids not picking up sound properly. With their help, he adjusted his aids, and during the process, they noticed a piano in his apartment. Derek shared that he had taken piano lessons as a child but had stopped. However, as he grew older, he found that he could play anything from memory by feeling his way on the keys. His late wife, Mickey, had been his biggest supporter and had even bought him the Yamaha piano he still plays today.Derek Peart, with his years of experience and passion for music, was a sight to behold as he sat at the piano. His fingers gracefully moved across the keys, creating beautiful melodies that filled the room. It was clear that music was an integral part of his life.
The couple was immediately drawn to Derek's charm and talent. They realized that they wanted to spend more time with him and get to know him better.
The Beginning of a Friendship
Derek invited the couple over for tea, and soon their get-togethers became more frequent. They had him over for wine, Christmas cocktails, and eventually, dinner at their place. During these gatherings, Derek would share his amazing stories and play the piano for them.Pender recalls, "He said he would play for us sometime, and that's where the friendship started. We thought he was the coolest guy and wanted to hang out with him more!"
One of their favorite traditions was having pizza and beer together, never skipping dessert. After dinner, Derek would treat them to a mini-concert, sometimes with a theme like Christmas songs or Valentine's Day love songs. Pender even joined in by singing along with Derek, adding a special touch to their evenings.
Going Viral on TikTok
Eventually, Pender started recording videos of their performances to send to her mom, who also plays the piano. One day, she decided to post one of these videos on TikTok, hoping to share the joy and show people just how special Derek was. Little did she know that this video would go viral, amassing millions of views."I thought it was incredible," Pender tells PEOPLE. "I read every single comment and relay many of them back to Derek. It was such a positive little pocket of the Internet. Derek has touched so many people."
People from all over were commenting, sharing stories about their own grandparents or complimenting Derek's arrangements. Derek was amazed by the reach of his music and couldn't believe his newfound fame at his age.
The Power of Friendship
Through her videos, Pender hopes to remind people that friendships can span all ages. Spending time with elders, she realizes, is a precious gift. She loves hearing Derek's stories and enjoying his piano skills."We want to live next to Derek and enjoy his company as long as we can," she says. "He's extremely passionate about music and says it has kept him alive."
Another fun aspect of their friendship is Derek's love for animals. They have a cat named Biscuit, and Derek absolutely adores visiting and petting the cat. These small moments add to the warmth and joy of their relationship.