A sweet “granny” waves to the bus of students from Arlington High whenever they pass by her house on their way to school. Dubbed as the “grandma in the window,” the 93-year-old Louise Edlen has been doing this everyday for 5 years now. But nothing’s sweeter than how these kids return the love to the grandmother they’ve grown very fond of for years.

One September morning, as the students were expecting the same thoughtful gesture from Edlen, their favorite “granny” was nowhere to be found. It sparked sadness and concern to the students as they wanted to make sure that Edlen was doing well.

“It was kind of heartbreaking because she was always there,” seventh-grader Axtin Bandewerfhorst told KING 5.

Carol Mitzelfeldt, the bus 7 driver then decided to visit Edlen’s home with a bouquet of flowers and a sweet note for her that says,

“To the grandma in the window, we’re thinking of you. Love, the kids on bus 7 and bus driver, Carol,” she told The Huffington Post.

Upon receiving the note, Edlen’s husband Dave contacted Mitzelfeldt to explain the reason for his wife’s absence. They soon found out about her condition, that she had a stroke and was under the care of a local rehabilitation center. With the help of Mitzelfeldt, the kids came up with a plan to cheer her up and surprise her.

Since Edlen isn’t home yet, they thought of ‘taking a group picture so she can have something to look at.’

Here’s a photo of them waving out the bus’ windows, attached to a foam board, signed and delivered to Edlen.

“I’ve told them, ‘this could be your grandma or grandpa, or even you someday,'” Mitzelfeldt said.

“Always treat people with kindness, and always treat people with compassion,” she added.

A week after, Edlen returned home and was greeted by Mitzelfeldt and the students with a warm “welcome home” sign.

They cheered and waved while APS buses that drove by honked their horns, happy to see their beloved grandma home and well.

The sweetest thing indeed! I surely don’t mind growing old and coming home to this.

H/T: Pulptastic