Pen pals face-to-face after 45 years
ROSA STUDHOLME
Kurow woman Colleen Hughes was 17 when she starting writing letters to a stranger in the United States. Forty-five years later, she has met her pen pal in person.
the two began corresponding after a friend of mrs Hughes passed on the details of a girl in the US, Pat Ledford, who was looking for a pen friend.
In May 1966 mrs Hughes put pen to paper and wrote the first of what would be hundreds of letters.
“Within two weeks I had a reply. she was really, really keen to write,” mrs Hughes told the Timaru Herald.
Last month, mrs Hughes was able to meet her long-time friend face-to-face at her home town of Gastonia, North Carolina, while travelling in the US with her husband, Graeme. They were holidaying in the US, visiting friends in Florida. “I said if we’re going that close we are going to see Pat,” Mr Hughes said.
Last July, as soon as the flights were booked, mrs Hughes rang Pat Ledford to tell her the news that they would finally meet.
the Hughes were picked up from Charlotte Airport on January 6 by mrs Ledford. mrs Hughes picked her friend out of the crowd immediately despite never having laid eyes on her.
“We were heading to the baggage carousel [and] I thought, `It’s Pat sitting there’. I knew her immediately.”
mrs Hughes said she enjoyed meeting her friend in person, and meeting her family. “They’re such a lovely, welcoming, homely, loving sort of family.
“It was something I needed to do. I’ve done everything else I wanted to do [in life], but meeting Pat would be such a big part of it. I’m so pleased we did it.”
the local newspaper, the Gaston Gazette, called on the pair during the visit, which was a “bit embarrassing”. a local radio station also picked up the story and discussed it live on air.
“Pat was just so excited. she would have got someone famous to interview us if she could have.”
although communication between the two is now through electronic mail rather than post, they remain in regular contact and will “forever”, mrs Hughes said.
They have supported each other through memorable life events, including marriages and the birth of their children. Both were sent invites for each other’s weddings, and when mrs Ledford couldn’t make it mrs Hughes sent her a piece of the cake. “It’s just carried on.”
They did not speak for many years until mrs Hughes rang mrs Ledford, who was having surgery.
“I thought I’d give her a ring and see how she was. it was good [to talk to her]. She’s a real talker, Pat. She’s non-stop.”
the pair will continue to keep in touch regularly. “We will forever. We’ve probably got a new burst now because we know each other more.”
– © Fairfax NZ News
Pen pals face-to-face after 45 years
Tags: reply, writing letters
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