Friendship is something that knows no boundaries when it comes to wealth, distance, or appearance.
Some friendships can be maintained for a lifetime if we're lucky, and can still thrive and flourish even if we seemingly have nothing in common with our friendly comrades.
Animals prove all the time that size, shape, and circumstance don't matter when it comes to making a great friend — just look at this adorable dog–duck duo!
Another amazing example of unlikely friendship is little Emmett Rychner and WWII veteran Erling Kindem.
Though the two couldn't be further apart in age, they fostered an adorable friendship while living next door to one another, filled with bike riding, drawing, and storytelling.
Even after Kindem moved to an assisted living facility, Emmett enjoyed visiting him, and even got to say goodbye to him before his death.
Check below to learn more about their amazing friendship.
[H/T: ABC]
Emmett Rychner and Erling Kindem first started their unlikely friendship when they lived next door to each other in Farmington, MN.
The WWII vet and his toddler buddy then began tugging at the internet's heartstrings by riding bikes, drawing pictures, and racing tractors together.
"Emmett was the only kid on the block. There wasn't any other kids, so he would come over and knock on Dad's door," explained Kindem's son Charlie to ABC News.
"And he would say, 'Can Erling come out and play?'"
And when he moved to a nursing home, Emmett would still come visit Kindem. He even came to his 90th birthday!
Unfortunately, after five months in hospice care, Kindem passed away from heart failure at age 91.
But Emmett, who is now almost 6 years old, still got to say goodbye to him, and visited him at the nursing home two days before his passing.
Emmett’s mother says he'll always remember what they had.
Though they were so different in age, the duo managed to find common ground and appreciate how much fun they could have together.
According to ABC News, Kindem served his country in 29 combat missions. But he was also known by all who were close to him as an incredibly kind soul.
"He just made friends with everybody. He had all kinds of friends," explained Charlie.
And at such a young age, Emmett already has such an inspiring kindness and respect for the elderly, which will surely serve him well throughout his life.
These two were more than just cute internet eye candy; they were a symbol that friendship knows no circumstance.
If you believe everyone should love and respect their elders, make sure to SHARE with friends and family on Facebook.
