First-time meeting for pen pals of 31 years
First-time meeting for pen pals of 31 years
We met for the first time in October after being pen pals for 31 years.
It started in 1976. A time before e-mail, cell phones, and personal computers. A time when two little girls loved to write with pen(cil) and paper. One 10-year-old girl was from Webberville, Mich. The other 10-year-old lived in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Junior Northwestern, a kids’ version of the former Northwestern Lutheran magazine, got us started. On the back page of the magazine was an area entitled “I want a pen pal.” I put my name into the mix and asked for a pen pal.
I received letters from approximately 25 to 30 girls and responded to each of them. But over the months and years almost all failed to write back—all except Wendy Mosher, a member at Memorial, Williamston, who thought that my description was a perfect match for her despite the miles that separated us.
We initiated our friendship by talking about families and schools, sports and friends. Years passed. College degrees, jobs, boyfriends, marriage, children. Life (and death) happened . . . and through it all we maintained our friendship. We never heard the sound of each other’s voices; we preferred to write rather than talk on the phone. We tried to get together once or twice, but schedules conflicted.
Finally on Oct. 28, 2007, the Lord opened the gateway. We hugged each other for the first time in Tomah, Wis., and hunkered down for a meal. Six hours later we parted, after sharing many memories and building new ones.
What is it that kept us connected for more than 30 years? We love to write; we love to run; we love our families; but most of all we love the same God. We share a common faith that binds us to one another in life here on earth and the life eternal that is to come. Praise God for his wonderful blessings of friendship!
Kathy Hester
It started in 1976. A time before e-mail, cell phones, and personal computers. A time when two little girls loved to write with pen(cil) and paper. One 10-year-old girl was from Webberville, Mich. The other 10-year-old lived in Anchorage, Alaska.
The Junior Northwestern, a kids’ version of the former Northwestern Lutheran magazine, got us started. On the back page of the magazine was an area entitled “I want a pen pal.” I put my name into the mix and asked for a pen pal.
I received letters from approximately 25 to 30 girls and responded to each of them. But over the months and years almost all failed to write back—all except Wendy Mosher, a member at Memorial, Williamston, who thought that my description was a perfect match for her despite the miles that separated us.
We initiated our friendship by talking about families and schools, sports and friends. Years passed. College degrees, jobs, boyfriends, marriage, children. Life (and death) happened . . . and through it all we maintained our friendship. We never heard the sound of each other’s voices; we preferred to write rather than talk on the phone. We tried to get together once or twice, but schedules conflicted.
Finally on Oct. 28, 2007, the Lord opened the gateway. We hugged each other for the first time in Tomah, Wis., and hunkered down for a meal. Six hours later we parted, after sharing many memories and building new ones.
What is it that kept us connected for more than 30 years? We love to write; we love to run; we love our families; but most of all we love the same God. We share a common faith that binds us to one another in life here on earth and the life eternal that is to come. Praise God for his wonderful blessings of friendship!
Kathy Hester
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