Darlene Love Says Cher Friendship Is ‘One of the Great Things That Has Happened in My Life’: ‘Such a Joy to Work with Her’ (Exclusive)

Darlene Love is proud to always have a friend in Cher.

The iconic singer, 83, tells PEOPLE that her friendship with Cher, 78, which began in 1962 and has continued without pause ever since, is “one of the great things that has happened in my life.”

“We were talking about that the last time we were together,” Love explains. “I ended up working for her as a backup singer when she did her Heart of Stone Tour. And it was such a joy to work with her, to see where she is and see where she came from. To know that I had just a little thimble of something to do with it. It just amazes me. And it all amazes me that she thinks about me in the way that she does.”

The “All Alone On Christmas” singer doubles down that Cher “gives me my kudos” more than anyone else, saying, “She did … Kelly [Clarkson’s] television show … a couple of months ago. And she said, ‘If there was no Darlene Love, there would be no Cher,’ ” praise that continues to leave Love stunned that the legendary singer “still thinks that much about me.”

“It’s so humbling to me,” she adds.

Love was a notable figure in Cher’s recent self-titled memoir, appearing on multiple instances in its pages, which detailed how the two artists intertwined throughout the latter’s illustrious career.

“It’s just the way she was,” Love shares of her longtime friend. “Whenever we aren’t together, okay … when we come back together, it’s almost like we just start where we left off.”

“To have somebody that thinks that way … Cher, especially Cher, she don’t have no reason to say it unless she really means it,” Love continues. “When I tell you, when we’re together, you’ll know she loves me.”

Ultimately, Love’s biggest takeaway from her relationship with Cher is that despite time or distance, “She remembers me.” “We’re not together all the time, but two or three years can pass by. We don’t see each other. But no, even during that time she’s not with me, she remembers me.”

That effort to maintain the friendship even extends to the holiday season, according to Love, noting that the “Believe” singer is adamant they spend time together this Christmas.

“I told her, I said, ‘You know what? I’m coming to California for two weeks. I’m going to spend Christmas with my children at my great-grandkids’. I don’t get to see them at Christmas time because of my schedule,’ ” Love shares. “She said, ‘Come by. You better not come without coming by. You better come by now. You done told me you’ll be here two weeks. So I expect to see you one of those days.’ ”