Two elderly best friends, who hadn't seen each other for 70 years, have finally been reunited after moving to the same care home - in a complete coincidence.
Nora Boardman, 91, relocated to a new care home, Crispin Court Care Home in Stafford, last August and was stunned when long lost pal, Eileen Gill, 89, arrived last month.
The pair - who were childhood besties - instantly recognised each other, despite having spent seven decades apart.
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"I never thought I'd see Eileen again after we went our separate ways as children - so it was so nice to see her," recalled Nora. "I couldn't believe she was now going to be living in he same care home as me and we'd get to see each other every day."
She added: "I feel lucky to have my best friend back in my life, it feels like nothing has changed."
The childhood friends both grew up in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, but Eileen moved 20 miles away to the village of Brewood at age of 12, and the pair lost touch.
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Eileen, who is two years older than Nora, finished school before she was a teenager and went to work on a farm, while after Nora finished school she worked in manufacturing making hand grenades.
But 70 years later, the once inseparable schoolgirls now spend their days causing mischief in their care home.
They couldn't be happier they're living a few doors down from one another either.
Nora said: "We try spend a lot of time together - if we don't see each other much during the day, we'll always have dinner together.
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"Eileen will come behind me and touch my arm to let me know she's there."
During their time apart, the pals both got married - Eileen was married to husband Ted for 49 years, before he passed away 14 years ago, and Nora was married to her husband Bob for 55 years, before he died four years ago.
"The day I got married was the best day of my life - it honestly was," Eileen said. "Ted was so good to me and I miss him so terribly much."
Nora didn't have any children, and Eileen has three - two daughters and a son as well as six grandchildren and two great children, all of whom come to visit at the care home.
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As Nora doesn't have any family, Eileen's family have taken her under their wing.
Nora said: "They have all been very nice to me - I feel like an extended part of their family.
"I couldn't feel happier that we're now reunited and get to reminisce on our old memories as well as creating new ones."
Both pensioners decided to move into the care home after struggling to care for themselves and having several falls in recent years.
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And after rekindling their friendship in recent weeks, the pair feel like they still have just as much in common as when they were kids. The pair have promised if they do part ways again, they will make sure they stay in touch.
Eileen said: "I'm not sure what's going to happen next but one thing I can say is that it's the happiest I've been in months.
"I've been happy here since day one."
Here's hoping we'll be causing mischief with our besties in care homes when we are their age!
Featured Image Credit: Caters