Two-year-old boy and his 99-year-old neighbor become 'best friends' after quarantining in the pandemic led to them having regular meetups at the fence that separates their homes

• Mary O’Neill, a widow from Minneapolis, Minnesota, struck up an unlikely friendship with Benjamin Olson, the toddler next door, during the pandemic  
• Benjamin didn't see other kids for more than a year, and Mary is his first best friend, according to the boy's mother, Sarah Olson  
• Mary, who will turn 100 in December, lost her husband 37 years ago
• Her grandchildren and great-grandchildren all live out of state  
• Initially, Mary would just wave to Benjamin from behind a window, but then she started stepping outside to say hello to the toddler
• The greetings eventually evolved into regular meetings at their shared fenceA two-year-old boy has become best friends with his 99-year-old neighbor after months of quarantining during the COVID-19 pandemic led to them having regular meetups at the fence that separates their homes. 

  Mary O’Neill, a widow from Minneapolis, Minnesota, struck up an unlikely friendship with Benjamin Olson, the toddler next door, at a time when most of the world was isolated from their friends and extended families.   

  'For more than a year, [Benjamin] didn’t see other kids. He didn’t interact with anyone except our family and Mary,' the boy's mom, Sarah Olson, told Today Parents. 'They ended up forming an incredibly strong bond.'Scroll down for video 

  

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  Aww! Mary O’Neill, a widow from Minneapolis, Minnesota, struck up an unlikely friendship with Benjamin Olson, the toddler next door, during the pandemic

  

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  Heartwarming: Benjamin didn't see other kids for more than a year, and Mary is his first best friend, according to the boy's mother, Sarah Olson

  

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  Bonding: Initially, Mary would just wave to Benjamin from inside, but then she started stepping outside to say hello. The greetings eventually evolved into meetings at their shared fence

  Benjamin's friendship also brings great joy to Mary, who will turn 100 in December. She lost her husband 37 years ago and enjoys the little boy's company. Her own grandchildren and great-grandchildren all live out of state. 

  Initially, she would just wave to him from behind a window, but then she started stepping outside to say hello to the toddler. The greetings eventually evolved into regular meetings at the fence that separates their backyards. 

  During their backyard visits, they came up with their own special game they've dubbed 'cane ball.' Benjamin will kick a ball to Mary, and she'll use her cane to hit it back to him. 

  In the warmer months, they like to sit on her steps and blow bubbles together. As a testament to their bond, Mary gave Benjamin a box of toy trucks that belonged to her late son.