80-Year-Old Pen Pals Who Have Been Writing To Each Other For 70 Years Finally Meet

• Two octogenarians, whose pen pal relationship started 70 years ago in 1955, have finally united in an emotional meeting that transcends time and distance
• Patsy Gregory, hailing from Hoghton in Lancashire, embarked on a journey to Conway, South Carolina, to meet her long-time pen pal, Carol-Ann Krause, in person
• The heartfelt reunion fulfilled a wish that had persisted over decades of written correspondence

In a heartwarming reunion over seven decades, two 80-year-old pen pals have fulfilled their lifelong wish by meeting face-to-face for the first time.

The friendship began in 1995

Patsy Gregory, a resident of Hoghton in Lancashire, travelled an astonishing 4,000 miles to Conway, South Carolina, to finally meet her pen pal, Carol-Ann Krause.

This long-awaited meeting marks the culmination of a friendship that began in 1955 when they were 12-year-old Girl Guides.

Gregory expressed her excitement and joy as she met Krause in person, stating that her pen pal was exactly as she had imagined her to be.

"I recognized her immediately and it just felt natural," she recounted.

Reflecting on their remarkably similar life trajectories, she noted,

"We're both the same age, got married around the same time. [We] both had three children and we've gone through life, all the trials and tribulations, and shared it. It's absolutely lovely and we're both still here."

How did they feel meeting the first time?

Carol-Ann Krause, who was a Girl Scout when their written correspondence first began, shared her sentiment that even though they hadn't met in person before, "it feels like we've known each other forever."

She highlighted the evolution of their communication, starting from handwritten letters in pencil and ink, progressing to typewritten messages, and now staying in touch through emails and social media.

"It's come a long way," Mrs. Krause said.

The heartwarming meeting was made possible by the thoughtful gesture of Gregory's three children, who organized the trip as a special gift for her 80th birthday.

Gregory's daughter, Steph Calam, accompanied her mother on the journey.

"Mum has always wanted to meet her American penfriend," Calam explained.

She revealed that the meeting had been on her mother's "bucket list" for years, describing it as one of her lifelong regrets that they had never met face-to-face.

Moment was very emotional

The emotional reunion between the two long-time pen pals was a touching moment.

Calam recounted,

"It was very emotional when they met. I was quite choked up when they hugged for the first time. They hit it off instantly and have a lot in common. They've been talking non-stop."

Gregory and her daughter spent nine memorable days in South Carolina, during which they had the opportunity to spend quality time with Krause and her family.

Although the meeting was a dream come true, the pen pals remain realistic about the possibility of repeating the experience.

While they plan to continue their correspondence through letters and cards, the logistics of meeting again remain uncertain.

Woman runs to meet mzungu bae

In a separate story, a woman using the TikTok handle @iamalivingtestimony delighted social media users with a video of herself picking up her Mzungu man from the airport.

She shared a video of herself running towards the entrance of the airport where the man was and as soon as he spotted her coming his direction, he also started running to meet up with her.

The lady who had long maroon braids wore a black trouser, blue and white sneakers and a black top as she excitedly waited to hug her white man.