Australian brothers Ted, Barry, John and Geoff lost their mother to cancer in 1945. Only the father remained in the immediate family, fearful of not being able to raise his four sons. That’s why he gave the youngest Geoff, who was one year old at the time, up for adoption.

The boy ended up in Northampton, England for several years before accidentally moving back to Australia with his adoptive family. His three siblings have been trying to find him for years, but to no avail. Geoff did the same, and finally tracked down the brothers in 2014, the Metro newspaper wrote.

Geoff, who is celebrating his 79th birthday this year, wrote to his brothers and they connected via phone and video calling app Skype. The youngest of the siblings learned that the eldest John was sadly dead by then.

Last week, eighty-three year old Ted from English Rugby finally flew in to see Geoff. One of Barry’s other siblings is unable to travel due to illness. Ted and Geoff met last week for the first time since the end of World War II, 77 years on. At the airport in Sydney, Australia, they hugged each other and couldn’t hold back the tears of emotion.

“It was an amazing experience, absolutely incredible,” Geoff described his feelings about the encounter.

Ted and his brother spend their time in Sydney getting to know each other and visiting tourist attractions and landmarks. “I’ve shown Ted places on the beach and we’re going to the Great Barrier Reef together this week,” Geoff told reporters. “This is really touching and I can’t wait to hug her again. We will definitely take good care of her (Teda) here while she is here,” added Geoff.

“I didn’t think something like this would happen in my life,” Geoff’s brother Ted told media at an Australian airport. He had to travel for 22 hours to Australia. “I was very surprised when he found us. In short, I don’t think that will happen. A few tears were shed,” Ted admitted.

British newspaper Metro also contacted Barry, who was unable to see his siblings due to illness. An 81-year-old former manager of an engineering company lives in the city of Ripon, England. “I’m really happy for them but I’m a little jealous of Ted that he has to leave,” said Barry. “I can’t sit for too long, my heart breaks because I want to hug Geoff – but it’s great that at least Ted can do that,” she said.

The flight to Australia was organized by Christopher’s son for his father. According to him, Ted flew for the first time in 50 years. “It’s a big deal for dad because mom had a big hand in planning the trip – he’d be proud to see it come to fruition,” said Christopher, whose mother recently died. “It’s a shame the four brothers can’t hug each other but I’m sure dad will be bringing home lots of photos, videos and memories to share with Barry,” Christopher mused.