ADELAIDE, Australia -- A 93-year-old World War II veteran from Virginia Beach finally reunited with his wartime girlfriend in Australia Tuesday.
Norwood Thomas and 88-year-old Joyce Morris embraced each other for the first time in more than 70 years.
“Give me a squeeze," Thomas said as he reunited with his wartime sweetheart.
The two met while Thomas was stationed in England, as a member of the 101st Airborne Division. They planned to get married, but the war and their lives afterward kept them apart. He returned to the US, and she moved to Australia.
93-year-old Norwood Thomas and 88-year-old Joyce Morris reunites after over 70 years.
But the two never forgot about one another.
“Oh he was full of fun,” Morris said giggling. “He was a really cheeky fella."
In November, Thomas and Morris reunited through Skype after Morris’ son searched Thomas on the internet and found him in an online article about D-day.
Thomas and Morris’ love story touched the hearts of people all over the world and led to people starting a GoFundMe to make sure the reunion happened.
Air New Zealand also heard about the story and set up round-trip flights for Thomas to visit Morris in Australia.
93-year-old Norwood Thomas and 88-year-old Joyce Morris reunites after over 70 years.
“This is about the most wonderful thing that could've happened to me,” Thomas told Morris.
She agreed.
“You know to find someone who loves you and you love them in the latter years of your life, it would rather be special wouldn't it?” she asked.
Thomas and his son will be in Australia for two weeks, where he will be able to spend Valentine’s Day with his WWII love.
There's no word if they have plans beyond that.
Related: Virginia Beach veteran flying to Australia to reunite with WWII girlfriend after 70 years
Related: World War II veteran from Virginia Beach reuniting with long-lost love after 70 years
