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Childhood pen pals meet after 30 years

businessinsider.com · 17 September 2026
Childhood pen pals meet after 30 years
Photo: businessinsider.com

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A woman from Youngstown, Ohio, reconnected with her pen pal, Naa Ashirifia, in Accra, Ghana, after 30 years of correspondence.

The two began writing letters to each other in second grade when their teacher paired them in a pen pal program. They shared details of their lives, sending letters, small gifts, and pictures across continents. As they grew older, their letter exchanges became less frequent, but they remained connected on social media.

The woman learned her college friend was traveling to Ghana and used the opportunity to finally meet Naa Ashirifia in person. They met at a hotel restaurant and quickly resumed their friendship, sharing stories and memories. They discovered their bond had endured despite the years and distance. Although they didn’t bring their old letters, they used technology to share updates on their lives and create new memories.

The woman returned to the United States after a 15-hour flight, feeling grateful for the enduring connection. They have stayed in touch through social media and plan to meet again sooner than another three decades.

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