Once upon a time, they numbered eight.

They were little girls back then. Walking to school, going to movies and playing jacks, kick the can and tag.

Mostly, life centered on Akron's Hotchkiss Elementary and East High schools.

When they became women, they stood with each other in good times and in bad. They were in each other's weddings and supported one another through the war.

Without ever knowing it, they were sharing the poetry of their hearts in what has grown into a 75-year friendship.

That bond is as strong as ever.

Only now they number three.

The words just aren't there to describe how they feel about those now absent from their monthly luncheons and their lives.

But still they gather. Out of tradition. Out of habit. Mostly out of love.

Recently, I invited myself to join them at their table at the Olde Harbor Inn on the Portage Lakes.

They're a fascinating club with so many amazing and amusing layers — Lyvonne Memmer Getz, 84; Monteen Hosey Samples, 81; and Corinne Treadaway Faith, 82.

They're grandmothers and great-grandmothers now, with little ones about the age they were when they first came together.

Asked about the real secret to their friendship, Monteen Samples gave a simple-but-studied answer: ''I think I figured that out. You two are only children. My siblings were younger. And Norma's were at least 10 years older . . . We four lived on the same block of Cambridge Avenue.''

Other members of this perpetual party were Mimi Yehnert Coberly, now of California, and the late Helen Yehnert Darst, Mary Floto Gaffney, Irene Floto Young and Norma Cochran Miller.

''Mimi and Helen were sisters. So were Mary and Irene and they lived on the next street,'' Monteen Samples reminisced.

''We all went roller skating together,'' Corinne Faith said.

''Life sure was simple then,'' Monteen Samples said.

''Even the boys played jacks with us,'' Lyvonne Getz chimed in.

''We'd get bored on Sundays and walk to town. We walked everywhere back then. Window shopping downtown, to the Saturday matinees and to see Frank Sinatra at the Palace.''

''We even walked home from the roller rink at night. We really did walk everywhere,'' Monteen Samples said, adding, ''Maybe that's why I'm using a cane now, why my knee went out.''

The women — in spite of the many different directions life pulled them — never abandoned their friendship, sharing regular visits — in person and over the phone.

Lyvonne Getz worked at the window at the Tallmadge post office nearly 20 years. Monteen Samples worked part time at Polsky's and J.C. Penney's. Corinne Faith worked at Akron Printing Co. before she got married, and later at a Hallmark gift shop.

Even more interesting is that they were no divorces in the group of eight.

''We all have the same husbands,'' Monteen Samples teased. Each of three has been married more than 62 years and each of their husbands — Ed Getz, Mervin Faith and Jack Samples — served in World War II, all three veterans of Iwo Jima. ''My husband was there when they raised the flag,'' Corinne Faith took great pride in saying.

''Boys used to bring telegrams [announcing the war dead] on bicycles,'' Monteen Samples recalled. ''I used to cringe every time I would see a boy on a bike. . . . ''

They marvel at the advancement in communication today.

''When I got a cell phone, that was really something,'' Lyvonne Getz volunteered. ''All our kids got 'em for us. . . . You better call me on mine, otherwise you won't get me.''

When conservation turned serious again about their enduring friendship, Lyvonne Getz shared this observation about its secret: ''I think we've lasted because we know each other so well.''

''We're like sisters,'' Monteen Samples suggested.

''We can call and tell all our problems to each other and we're not judged,'' Corinne Faith added.

''I don't remember any of us ever getting into a fight,'' Monteen Samples continued, exploring the depths of their youth-to-now friendship.

Back in the day, the Samples and the Faiths purchased an up-and-down duplex together.

In retirement, the friends still keep busy.

Lyvonne Getz knits and crochets for preemies, makes lap robes for military veterans and scarves for nursing homes.

Monteen Samples does counted cross-stitch.

''And Corinne keeps the cleanest house in town,'' was how Monteen Samples complimented her friend.

In truth, they all keep tidy houses. It's just that Corinne Faith takes cleaning to a different level, the others agree.

Connee Faith — a huge fan of her mother's friends — counts herself as fortunate for having been an eyewitness to their special bond.

''There is no back stabbing, pettiness or jealousy. Just respect and love for each other,'' Connee Faith said.

''All of them were housewives who supported their husbands and were good role models for their children.''

I'm sure you'd agree, dear readers, life just doesn't get much better than that.

So, here's to next month's luncheon — wherever it is. Perhaps, a game of tag for old times' sake. But mostly warm hugs that come from knowing what you are and what you have truly is priceless.