Pen Pal Friends Unite After Four Decades of Letters
The true meaning of friendship is evident in the relationship between Patti-Jean Perry and Carol Townsend, who continued to handwrite special notes back and forth for 41 years. Their relationship began with a letter and continued for nearly four decades.
The two will finally unite after only knowing each other through the written word. When the two were girls, Perry’s school in Alta Vista started a pen pal program with an English school. Perry began her writing relationship with Townsend at that time. Though many students lost contact with their pen pals, this duo remained pen pal friends for the next 41 years. “We are probably one of the few percent that continued to write,” adds Perry.
In the early stages in their teens, the two would write 2-4 times a month. “We were spending the time as young girls just learning about each other, what we liked, what we didn’t like,” says Perry. Once they reached their twenties, the frequency slowed to 3-4 times a year. “Life was getting busier,” says Perry. “But we never lost contact.”
They would write about their major life events, their upbringing, culture and the fashion trends and politics of each nation. They continued to write up until social media and the internet became popular at which time they transferred their contact method to Facebook and email. Though their lives became busy and were full of ups and downs, they never ceased their communication.
After so many years, Perry and Townsend were finally ready to meet in person. Not only was this their first person to person contact, the meeting also forced them to speak on the phone for the first time. Though nervous, they were excited to put a face and a voice to their precious friendship.
The two wondered if they would recognize each other, but once they met they knew and could feel the bond. The moment was emotional and heartfelt and met with a long embrace. Townsend was also happy to be in a foreign country and experience the culture she only knew from Perry’s letters.
The ladies sat in Perry’s house glancing at the 35 years of handwritten letters blanketing the coffee table. Townsend read them aloud and the two re-connected as they listened to their early days of friendship.
“We have known each other practically our whole lives, but never met face to face,” reflects Townsend.
Meeting through the written word and reunited in person–some friendships are meant to last forever.