There have been many movies made over time celebrating life-long friendships. The film 'Beaches' is one of them.

This movie depicts two young girls and their chance meeting under a pier. Even though the two are completely different and live at opposite ends of the hemisphere, they exchange addresses and vow to write each other no matter what.

While this story takes you on an emotional roller coaster of youth into adulthood, and finally death, the importance of friendship is echoed throughout the movie.

Eighty-four-year-old Udeyne Wells of the Spa community may never have seen this film, but she knows this type of friendship first hand, after having kept in contact with her friend for the past 66 years.

It all began when a neighbor of Udeyne's-- a traveling vacuum salesman-- found himself in Missouri at the home of 18-year-old Mary Gorham.

While there trying to sell a vacuum, he told them of his community in Spa and the Gorhams that lived near him (Udeyne's family). He gave them an address, telling them to write if they were interested.

The young Mary Gorham decided to do just that, and through Udeyne's great uncle-- who the letter was mailed to-- and then an aunt, the letter made it into Udeyne's hands.

"I didn't know what to think when I got the letter," said Mrs. Wells. "I just wrote her back, and we've been writing ever since."

Through courting, marriage, children, triumphs and tragedies, the two have shared literally a lifetime of memories through the mail. "I remember when we first began corresponding, neither of us was even married," said Mrs. Wells, who said they wrote through all of their life experiences.

"I remember when she met her husband and when she had her children. I remember when she moved from Missouri to Texas and when her husband died. I remember it all as if it were yesterday."

Last week, the two friends experienced yet another event in their lives. They met for the first time.

After 66 years of life together through words on paper, they finally came face-to-face and heart-to-heart with each other. (Mary) Helton and her daughter visited Mrs. Wells at the Adult Day Center in Russellville last week, where Mrs. Wells stays during the day. "It was unbelievable and exciting," said Mrs. Wells of her best friend's visit. "I couldn't believe I was finally meeting her after all these years."

The two women embraced each other, arms heavy with emotion and eyes wet with tears of joy. The past 66 years built a friendship that the dust of time could not cover.

The two women hung tight to their canes and spent a single afternoon reminiscing about old times. "I took her to Roy's Barbecue," said Mrs. Wells, who also took her to the Spa community that Mary had heard so much about through the years.

More tears fell as it was time to go and a final goodbye was given. "I know I will never see her again," said Udeyne, "but I got to see her this once, and I am grateful for that."

The two say they will continue to keep in touch and finish what was started over 66 years ago... a friendship that will last a lifetime.