Long lost pen pals reunited after 70 years (BBC News)

[kmc]

www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-northern-ireland-56603956

[Deleted]

Thanks a lot for posting this!

I wonder, if some of you have got back in touch with a penpal after ten years or longer? what was your experience? Did it feel as if you had stopped writing only two months ago and did you continue to correspond, or did you have to learn that you had grown away from each other too much? Did the old penpal contact you or was it your initiative?

[ginny]

Apr 4, 2021 19:41:02 GMT kalliope said:

Thanks a lot for posting this!

I wonder, if some of you have got back in touch with a penpal after ten years or longer? what was your experience? Did it feel as if you had stopped writing only two months ago and did you continue to correspond, or did you have to learn that you had grown away from each other too much? Did the old penpal contact you or was it your initiative?

I tried to get back in touch with some former penpals - mostly it was via Facebook or other social media (I'm not on Facebook anymore these days). From some people I never heard back. With a few, I have remained in touch on social media, with others, I have taken up writing again. These communications have survived so far (with one exception - and that was because my penpal had a heart attack and passed away! It was a shock to find out, as you can guess! Her brother informed me on Facebook). I have also been approached by ex-penpals a few times. I'm always open to taking up the thread again, unless it's a person I didn't really feel connected to (there are a few people that fall into that category).

What about you, kalliope, did you ever get back in touch with someone you hadn't talked / written to in a while?

[Deleted]

Apr 4, 2021 20:58:48 GMT ginny said:

What about you, kalliope , did you ever get back in touch with someone you hadn't talked / written to in a while?

I did, but that was twenty years back. It was not the same as before, we had grown away from each other. Whatever my expectations were, I was disappointed. And this has kept me from contacting two or three other penpals that were dear to me and that I think of sometimes.

I haven't been contacted by former penpals, because 1) I've moved a lot and changed addresses, 2) I got married and changed my name, 3) I'm not on Social Media and 4) I've always tried to be untraceable on Google. Hence former penpals probably aren't able to find me, unless they have my first, i.e. my parents' address.

[ebbie]

I have re-connected to pal from my teenage years via Facebook, however, most no longer write letters, so therefore, we like each other's photos and posts from time to time. It makes me feel sad every now and then, as we were once much closer. Alas... that is life! People / friendships grow and change. I have also contacted pals from long ago, and received no response, which is also a bit disheartening. However, people / friendships grow and change.