Kris Kristofferson had a special friendship with Taylor Swift.

The country star, who died Saturday at the age of 88, became buddies with Swift, 34, in the early years of her career before she became a mainstream pop star.

In 2010, both musicians attended the annual All for the Hall concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. Swift, then 20 years old, was on stage at the event honoring Kristofferson, as were Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill and Lionel Richie.

“These are the best role models I could have,” Swift told the 2,000-person audience, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The pair also crossed paths at the 2009 Country Music Association Awards.

Kristofferson presented Swift with the award for Female Vocalist of the Year. The ‘Style’ singer hugged Kristofferson as she accepted the award.

Two and a half years before his death, Kristofferson shared his very first Instagram post, which was appropriately about his friendship with Swift.

The Valentine’s Day 2022 post featured a photo of the duo each using their hands to make a heart sign at the 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum event.

“What better way to kick off Kris’ official @instagram account than with this photo of him and @taylorswift at the @officialcmhof ‘All For The Hall’ concert benefit in 2010! #HappyValentinesDay,” the caption read.

Swift has not yet publicly responded to the news of Kristofferson’s death.

The beloved “For the Good Times” singer died this weekend surrounded by his family. No cause of death has been given.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share the news that our husband/father/grandfather, Kris Kristofferson, passed away peacefully at home on Saturday, September 28,” said his family, including his wife Lisa and his eight children. in a statement to Variety.

“We are all so blessed for our time with him. Thank you for loving him all these years, and when you see a rainbow, know that he is smiling at us all,” the statement read.

Kristofferson announced his retirement in 2021. A statement from his then management revealed that the artist had slowly retreated from the spotlight.

Some celebrities have shared tributes to Kristofferson following his death, including his “A Star Is Born” co-star Barbra Streisand.

Streisand, 82, shared a photo of the 1976 album cover of the Oscar-winning film, as well as a more recent photo of the duo together on stage.

“The first time I saw Kris perform at the Troubadour club in LA, I knew he was something special,” she wrote on Instagram, adding that Kristofferson was “the perfect choice” to be the lead in the film.

She also recalled their reunion at her 2019 concert in London’s Hyde Park, where they sang “Lost Inside Of You” from “A Star Is Born.”

“He was as charming as ever, and the audience showered him with applause,” Streisand wrote. “It was a joy to see him receive the recognition and love he so deserved.”