These women have known each other since grade school. Here's their secret to a long-lasting friendship

On a hot Monday afternoon in June, a group of women snagged a couple of big tables at a Windsor, Ont., restaurant. 

Over coffee and sandwiches, they spent the next couple of hours catching up — laughing about old friends and teachers, and how much things have changed over the decades they've known each other.

They're the Grade 8 Girls, and this monthly gathering is something they've tried to do pretty consistently over the last 20 years — but their friendship started decades earlier. 

The group of nine women have all known each other since their early grade school years at Princess Elizabeth Public School in Windsor, Ont.

"I can remember when we were outside playing at recess time and we, you know, we all would play together," said Joyce Harkness. 

And in 1957, after spending years together, they all graduated from grade 8. 

But as with any friendship, life got in the way. 

"Over the years we lost touch ... [but] we'd bump into each other at the grocery stores, at the church or whatever and say, 'you know, we must get together,'" said Rhoda Young.

And they're not really sure how or when the reunion happened, but they're glad it did. 

"I'm not sure who initiated it," said Judith Gelinas. "Maybe none of us, maybe all of us, but it's a good thing." 

Since coming back together, they've started calling themselves the Grade 8 Girls as a nod to how it all began. 

"I think it means a lot to have a friendship that winds through the decades, somebody that you can call and relate to," said Young. 

"Like my children of course there's a 30 year gap. So they have their generational thing that they have to cope with things. But at our age, at 80, it's a whole different ball game."

Friendship reminds them of their younger years

For Ellen Bunker, who is Harkness's twin sister, the friendship makes her nostalgic.

"Whenever I'm with them, it just brings back the memories and I feel like I'm back there and not my age," she said. "It reminds you of when you were young."

She and Harkness say when they're around everyone they're reminded of the parties they used to go to and the teachers that would give them a hard time. 

"I think when you have friends that go back as long as we do, it's just something very special to be able to get together," said Bonnie Atkins. 

And for some of the others, along with reliving the past, it gives them something to look forward to. 

"I tend to sit in the house and think, 'OK, I don't wanna go out today. I don't have to go out today. I don't have to talk to anybody today,'" said Gelinas. "But then you have an appointment, then you have a commitment to other people. And yes, it's important." 

What's the secret to a long-lasting friendship? 

For many of the women, they said putting effort in to stay connected matters. 

"Life, it keeps you busy," said Kay Stezycki. 

"I'd say keep in touch, maybe a phone call here or there."

And if Young could pass along one piece of advice, she says it would be to encourage people to reach out to old friends that may have come and gone in their lives. 

"Don't be afraid to do it because sometimes you think, 'Oh I haven't heard from that person in years, they might not want to hear from me.' It's amazing how receptive people are to that and love to talk about the old days."