POST FALLS - Valentine's Day brought student Nebaeh Cameron and senior Don Grunsted together on Friday.

Eighty-two years separate the two, but companionship over refreshments and bingo at Ponderosa Elementary quickly bridged that gap.

Fifth-graders hosted residents of Garden Plaza and Guardian Angel for a party that drew laughs and wide smiles from the students and seniors alike.

"Everybody was excited to meet you," Cameron said to Grunsted.

The two immediately hit it off.

"She knows of all the places I've lived - Wisconsin, Minnesota, Nebraska, California and Idaho, of course," said Grunsted, a Garden Plaza resident. "I think it's so nice that I got invited to this party and meet my nice, young buddy."

Grunsted said it was a breath of fresh air being around the youngsters.

"They've got so much energy," he said. "I wish that I had some of it."

Grunsted said he doesn't remember having such sweet parties when he went to school, but thinks they are a great idea.

"We may have had a few parties, but I don't recall any because I'm only 92," he said with a smile.

Being open to being around others, he said, has "helped me keep my head on straight."

"A lot of it is attitude and how you look at life," he said. "Sure, things bother you sometimes, but brush it off and don't get too excited about it."

Students Macey Atkins and Siena Shinault partnered with senior Rachael Nichols of Guardian Angel.

"It's just great to be with the children," Nichols said.

Atkins said she's glad that her school invited the seniors.

"They don't get to see kids much anymore," she said.

Shinault said the party was a two-way street.

"I think this is special because we all get to meet new people," she said.

Tammy Delbridge, a fifth-grade teacher, said the students came away from the party with "changed hearts."

"They learn to give of themselves and be considerate of others," she said. "It's a day of serving."

Gloria Roff, a Garden Plaza resident, said she appreciated the invitation.

"It's nice to see happy children. That makes us happy," she said. "We love them and hope they love us."