Two women who’ve been pen pals for seven decades have finally met face to face. Eighty-seven year old Norma “Kitty” Frati of Corpus Christi, Texas invited 83-year-old Audry Sims of Australia to come visit her after spending 74 years corresponding with each other.  Their reunion took place at the Corpus Christi International Airport.  Sims explained, “I think we’ve got parallel families. We’re both married, divorced and married, had children, so it’s almost been the same.” Frati says the two also share a love of flowers.

Frati was a 13-year-old in Kansas when a school project led to her writing letters with Sims, who was 9 years old.  The girls grew up and continued writing with details of their lives, but never met, until now.  Sims says the friendship by mail has meant everything to her.  Frati says they will keep writing letters.