The COVID-19 pandemic, along with the resulting social distancing mandates that followed, put many of us in a tough position. In a recent interview with People Magazine, fashion designer and former Beyoncé momager Tina Knowles-Lawson detailed how she and others in the entertainment industry have also dealt with the loneliness that can come with isolated contact.

Describing what it’s like to hug extended family and friends finally, Knowles-Lawson told the publication at the Billboard Awards red carpet event, “

I’m way more appreciative of seeing friends and being able to hug somebody. When I get a hug, it’s like a shock to my arm because, you know, for so long we couldn’t hug people, couldn’t touch them.”

“And other than my immediate family, I didn’t see anybody for probably nine months. So I’m appreciating being able to reach out and touch people,” she continued. “And I also appreciate what kind of great life we had. We didn’t really know it because we took it for granted. But you know, this is amazing to be able to come out and be around— this is my first time being around people.”

Knowles-Lawson also revealed how much she’d missed her four grandchildren while social distancing. Referring to Blue Ivy Carter, she told People Magazine, “My oldest granddaughter told her mom, ‘Grandma is hugging us too much,’ when I first went around them. Because you just wanna touch ’em, and you wanna hug ’em, so I’m going through that.”

Related Post: Tina Knowles-Lawson Shares a Heartfelt Tribute to Son-N-Law, Jay-Z in Writing

The 67-year-old mother to music stars Solange and Beyoncé also spoke with PEOPLE about this year’s Mother’s Day, calling it “beautiful.”

“My family, we’ve all been vaccinated, and we got together and partied and had a great time. So, you know, we didn’t miss a beat on Mother’s Day,” she

said about her celebration.

Are you able to relate to Knowles-Lawson’s social distancing woes? Let us know your experience during the pandemic in the comment section.