In what might seem like a coincidence, life reunited two childhood friends after they lost touch 70 years ago.
When 89-year-old Eileen Gill moved to the Crispin Court Care Home in Stafford in January, the last person she expected to see again was her childhood best friend, 98-year-old Nora Boardman.
Nora had recently moved to the Care Home last August after a few falls made it hard for her to take care of herself.
Eileen and Nora grew up together in Eccleshall, Staffordshire, West Midlands, and were inseparable as children. However, when Eileen was 12 years old, her family relocated to a village called Brewood, about 20 miles away, and the friends lost touch.
Their feelings for each other remained unchanged all these years.
When they first saw each other again at the care home, recognition was immediate. The 70 years apart disappeared in a moment as Nora said:
“I never thought I'd see Eileen again after we went our separate ways as children - so it was so nice to see her. I couldn't believe she was now going to be living in the same care home as me and we'd get to see each other every day. I feel lucky to have my best friend back in my life; it feels like nothing has changed.”
Their lives took different paths after school. Eileen worked on a farm and married Ted, the love of her life, who passed away fourteen years ago after 49 years of marriage.
 |
| Eileen Gill and Nora Boardman share a picture of them as children.| Photo: YouTube/Caters Clips |
Together, they had three children—a son and two daughters. Eileen reminisced about her wedding day and added:
“The day I got married was the best day of my life - it honestly was. Ted was so good to me, and I miss him so terribly much.”
Nora's life took a different direction. Following school, she worked in the manufacturing of hand grenades. Though she didn’t have any children, she also married the love of her life. Nora was married to Bob for an impressive 55 years before he passed away four years ago.
Elated by their reunion, the pair spends their days causing mischief at the care home while catching up on past memories during dinner in the evenings.
 |
| Eileen Gill and Nora Boardman.| Photo: YouTube/Caters Clips |
This reunion also gave Nora something she didn’t have—a family. Nora elaborated on her newfound family, Eileen’s family:
“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.”
For Eileen and Nora, it's as if the decades apart never existed. They don't know what the future holds but have promised not to lose touch again. For now, they cherish the gift of being able to catch up and spend time together.
Many love connections have been reunited in similar ways. Diane Nerheim and Marvin Ugland dated in 1964 while studying at the University of North Dakota before their lives took different paths. Many years later, Marvin escorted his own mother to Diane’s mother’s funeral. The pair had not seen each other in 50 years but decided time was ticking and got married shortly after on a yacht in the San Francisco harbor on April 4, 2015. Their feelings for each other are the same as they were all those years ago.
We can share deep connections with animals too, sometimes finding our way back to them. Bianca Zammit from Sydney experienced this when her long-lost pet returned to her after 14 years.
0 Comments