When 4-year-old Norah Wood stopped to talk to an elderly man alone at the supermarket, she was unaware she had begun an exchange that would become an internet sensation.
Tara Wood, an American writer and blogger, has been documenting the unlikely friendship on her Facebook page, where the story of Norah and 'Mr. Dan' has captured hearts around the world.
On the day of the first meeting between 4-year-old Norah and 82 year old 'Mr. Dan', Wood wrote that her daughter was "magnetically drawn" to the man.
"Her face lit up like the sun, she waved excitedly, and said "Hi old person! It's my birfday today!"
The two spoke for several seconds, before Norah asked for a photo with "the old man".
Wood said the two posed and hugged "like they were long lost friends", with 'Mr. Dan' tearfully saying "this has been the best day I've had in a long time. You've made me so happy, Ms. Norah."
It could have been left at that, but a follower recognized the widow on Wood's Facebook page, and contacted her to say that 'Mr Dan' was Dan Peterson, a widow who had fallen into a depression since losing his wife six months beforehand.
Wood contacted him, and the the group had lunch the following week.
Norah and Mr. Dan have now established a firm friendship.
Wood wrote for littlethings.com that the two see each other every week, whether for a stroll around the garden or to drop off one of his favourite cheese scones.
Wood's Facebook following has been charmed by the unlikely friendship, with photos of the pair garnering thousands of likes.
Wood wrote in a recent post that "Norah asks about Mr Dan everyday, she wants him to feel loved."
The family recently spent Halloween with Mr Dan, and Wood has invited him to spend Thanksgiving at their home.
"Sweet Mr. Dan is going to be part of our family whether he likes it or not" Wood wrote.
Newshub.
