Back in the 1940s, Lorly Schik began her long career as a teacher in the Perham school district of Minnesota — and she was a wonderful teacher at that. And like many wonderful teachers, countless students were deeply impacted by her kind heart and unwavering guidance.

Lorly retired from teaching in 1989 — but even after so many years, she could remember the faces of each and every student who walked into her classroom over the years.

Just when she and her husband were about to celebrate her retirement by traveling cross-country, he unexpectedly passed away. At the age of 90, life was suddenly much different than she ever could have imagined. Lorly made the emotional decision to move out of her home and into an independent living complex for seniors.

One day, Lorly turned on the local news channel in St. Paul, Minnesota, KARE 11 Sunrise. One of the news anchors immediately struck her. “When I first saw him, I could hardly believe it…”

It turns out that the two first met when Cory Hepola was in Lorly’s pre-K class. After growing up, Cory had worked in several states before he came back home to work for Minnesota’s KARE 11.

Lorly ended up writing a letter to Cory’s parents, praising their son. She wrote, “Hi Diane & Terry. It is with a great deal of pride that I am now watching my former Kindergarten student telecast the news on KARE 11. I can still picture him as a small dark haired child in his K-desk! I am also wondering if you can view that station in Perham??”

She continued, “In September 20, 2013 I moved to an Independent Senior Living Complex in St. Paul. It was a very difficult decision, a part of my heart will always be in Perham. My children and grand (& great) children are all in the Twin Cities. The time had come!”

Cory was able to read the note, and he ended up writing one right back. From there, the two were able to stay connected and form a friendship.