MONUMENT, Co. -- We all know friendships are important, especially to children. If you ask Carson Blehm, he's the luckiest kid in all of Colorado, even if doctors recently determined he is autistic.

Like many 8-year-olds, he loves all kinds of trucks. His luck kicks in because his best friend happens to drive an extra big garbage truck every day.

"He's the best guy ever," said Carson. If you have a moment, he'll show any visitor his extensive collection of toy garbage trucks. "This is the garbage truck I got from David," Carson pointed out. The smile on his face told the whole story. This man, David, means a lot to him.

"He tends to gravitate towards those others may not even notice. His best friends are a garbage man and a police officer," said Kim Blehm, Carson's mom.

The special friendship between Carson and David Willis started two years ago on a routine trash collection day.

"Carson wanted to help me take the trash out and say hello to the garbage man and he ended up waiting eight hours out at the street to meet our garbage man," said Kim Blehm.

After the long wait, Carson did meet his trash collector, Willis, and gave him a hug. "I thought for certain he would give up after a short while," said Carson's mom. But he didn't.

Carson has waited every Tuesday since then to spend time with Willis.

"That was really a good start and ever since then we have been best of friends," said Willis. He's been a Waste Management trash collector for eight years.

The work days are can be long for Willis. It's the friendly people along his route that make the positive difference. "Carson has made so many things better in my life," said Willis.

Carson and Willis recently met so that Carson could have a private tour of the Waste Management truck yard. Their greeting was one to remember.

"Honk, honk," the truck horn alerted Carson to be ready. And, he was. "David! David, David, David...yes, yes, yes," yelled Carson as he jumped up and down.

The two then hugged and proceeded to discuss current events in their lives. Carson also got the chance to operate the truck's dumper.

Willis is a father of three children. Although he has another truck route this year, it's still important for him to make time for Carson. "Me and my wife are trying to raise our kids to be like that, thoughtful, caring," said Willis.

"I would say you really don't know anybody until you stop and talk to them. Once you talk to them is when you really learn who and what they are," said Willis.

It's a message that's spreading trough Carson's neighborhood.

"I have to say I honestly never noticed our garbage man before Carson did. Now, I go out of my way to say hello. It's huge how you can just say hello to somebody and it brightens their day," said Kim Blehm. "Our neighbors are now leaving personal notes for their trash collectors and mail carriers, too."

"Me taking the time to spend with him and him being out there waiting for me is a great thing for both of us. It makes me feel good," said Willis.

Their friendship is proof that you might find your best friend waiting in a most unusual place.