This Wartime Veteran Is Flying to Australia For Love — It's 70 Years in the Making

Valentine's Day is just around the corner, and 93-year-old WWII vet Norwood Thomas is going to have the holiday of his life.

In 1944, the Virginia Beach, VA, resident met and began dating Joyce Morris, now 88 and living in Australia. He was 21; she was 17. He was sent to war, and due to miscommunication, the two lovebirds lost touch. Now, after more than 70 years of separation, Thomas wants to give Joyce "a little squeeze" in person.

Update: Thanks to generous donations from readers who spotted the original story of their first Skype date and a free flight offer from Air New Zealand, Thomas will be doing just that. Norwood Thomas has officially left the premises! He and his caretaker son Steve are on their way to Adelaide, Australia, and are expected to be there soon.

Watch the video below of their first online encounter — it's ridiculously sweet. And definitely keep a few tissues handy!