Lifelong friends who were forced to be separated due to illnesses, distance and COVID-19, finally shared a heartwarming reunion in Ronkonkoma Thursday.

There was great anticipation at La Villetta II Restaurant ahead of the two lifelong friends finally reuniting.

"I feel like a million dollars. I can't believe this is all happening," said 93-year-old Rita Burke, of Holbrook, was excited to got to see her best friend of 80 years.

This was the first time in three years that 92-year-old Mickie Del Rosso, of Rahway, New Jersey hugged Rita, her best friend from high school.

Besides the pandemic, illnesses and distance kept the girlfriends apart.

"It put a damper on things, yes. We were afraid to take a chance," Burke said.

But now that both had received their COVID-19 vaccine, it was time to reconnect and walk down memory lane again.

"Oh, I think it's wonderful. It's like we're on the bus going to high school," Del Rosso said.

It was 1945 when Del Rosso and Burke struck up a friendship while attending William Cullen Bryant High School in Queens.

"She was very honest, very sweet," Burke recalled of Del Rosso.

"She's loyal and she's interesting and I learned a lot of things," Del Rosso said of Burke.

Over eight decades, the duo's shared Italian heritage, family values and love for Tony Bennett music, which has strengthened their bond.

"We're just lucky we're both alive and we're able to keep in touch with each other," Burke said.

"It makes you feel good and it makes me feel good about myself that I was able to have a friend as loyal as Rita," Del Rosso said.

Del Rosso and Burke's children organized the reunion. After seeing their mothers endure the isolation of the COVID-19 lockdown, they thought a dose of togetherness would be the best remedy.

"She has been so thrilled since we put this date on the calendar, probably a month ago, because it gives her something to look forward to," said daughter Liz Burke.

"We just wanted to have fun and see them together. It's so nice to see them laugh and smile," enthused son Peter Del Rosso.

After three years apart, the reunion brought cheers to two best friends who now find joy in making new memories.

And after lunch, Del Rosso and Burke did some sightseeing from high above Long Island in a plane flown by Del Rosso's son.