“She called me the grandson she never had.”

That is what 89 year old Norma Cook calls her 31 year old neighbour Chris Salvatore.

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The two share a very special relationship. You see four years ago, the two met after Chris moved into her apartment complex and they would exchange brief ‘hellos’,

Chris told PEOPLE, “One day I said, ‘Can I come in and chat?’ Because she just seemed so sweet. She offered me a glass of champagne, and it was like this immediate friendship.”

The two soon became fast friends and developed a tight bond. That friendship was tested when Norma became really sick (she has leukemia) and had to spend a few months in hospital. Doctors told her she only had a few months left to live and Norma knew what she wanted to do: she waned to spend it with Chris.

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So what did Chris do? He had Norma move in with him so that he could look after her.

He told PEOPLE, “I love her, she’s my best friend. I would do anything for her. I believe that human kindness is a magical thing and can heal what doctors can’t.”

He added, “I’m giving her a gift of passing on and being at peace and having a good time in her last few months.”

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While it may appear as though Chris is the one who is taking care of Norma, he feels as though she’s done a lot for him as well, “I’m so lucky to have her. She’s changed my life. she’s made me a kinder more compassionate person. I feel honoured to spend her last moments with her.”

You can check out more of their story at PEOPLE.com

Filed under: Chris Salvatore