the story now from boyd huppert of our affiliate kare-tv in minneapolis. >> my hands are freezing. >> reporter: when you're 4 years old, you have a few things left to learn. emmett is still working to make sense of directions. >> i don't really know left and right. >> reporter: but this he knows. >> who's that little shrimp? how are you doing? little guy. >> reporter: it's been eight months since the friendship between world war ii veteran earl kindem and the preschooler next door became a social media sensation. >> i love him. >> reporter: half a year since they hugged good-bye. as emmett moved to a house in the country. and erling to a retirement home. a 90th birthday is cause for celebration. >> does he like cake? >> yeah, i do. >> is the pope catholic? yes. >> reporter: emmett's parents have made sure the visits have also continued. >> i think i beat you in the race. >> reporter: on the ordinary days. >> i can do it way faster. >> reporter: erling's wife, joyce knows too. >> he misses them. >> reporter: the boys still need each other. >> we used to call these dog tags in the army.