WATCH: Internet celebrities reunite for veteran’s 90th birthday

WATCH ABOVE: Erling Kindem celebrated his 90th birthday Sunday with his 4-year-old pal Emmett by his side.  The pair rocketed to Internet fame last summer. Boyd Huppert reports.

TORONTO – A pair of unlikely, but still very cute, Internet celebrities from Minnesota reunited Sunday after more than half a year apart.

World War II veteran Erling Kindem shot to fame last summer for his special bond with his tiny neighbour – then three-year-old Emmett Rychner. Their relationship went viral via social media but those smiles eventually turned to frowns when Emmett’s family moved away and the former combat pilot traded his home for a retirement residence.

WATCH ABOVE: Erling and Emmett first went viral after this NBC report perfectly encapsulated just how strong their friendship is.

Almost a year later and both a little older, the odd couple were reunited when the now four-year-old attended the veteran’s 90th birthday party Sunday with his family in tow.

“He misses Emmett,” Erling’s wife Joyce told KARE.

According to NBC, Emmett’s parents help him make regular visits. But indoor foot races have replaced their infamous outdoor lawnmower races.

Emmett’s mother, Anika Rychner, recognizes the importance of the pair’s unique relationship. “It is very special,” she told reporter Boyd Huppert.

As a gift, the youngster gave his older friend a set of dog tags with the inscription “Emmett & Erling” and “Friends Forever”.

The only real issue of this visit was having to say goodbye at the end… and keeping Emmett from licking every inch of the cake.