When Debbie Houschild was just 11 years old, she tuned in to her favorite children’s show, Big Blue Marble. The ‘70s program encouraged kids to connect with peers from around the world, and one day, Debbie decided to send in a letter asking for a pen pal.
She couldn’t have imagined that the response would change her life forever.
Debbie, who grew up in Oceanport, New Jersey, was matched with Jane Bean from Sittingbourne, Kent, England. The two young girls began writing letters across the nearly 3,500 miles between them, sharing snippets of their daily lives as they grew up oceans apart.
“We would tell each other about what was going on in our lives at the time,” Debbie recalls. “Over all the years, that changed from teenage types of things to getting married, jobs, having children and how our lives went from there.”
Their communication shifted with the times, from handwritten letters to phone calls, then to Facebook Messenger and finally WhatsApp. But one thing never changed: their friendship.
Still, despite 51 years of exchanging stories, the two had never met in person.
That all changed this August. After Jane pointed out that their friendship had reached its “golden anniversary,” Debbie knew it was finally time. “I replied that I need to take a trip to England, and she said, ‘Yes, you do,’” Debbie says. “I quickly thought this could be a great trip if my daughters can go too, and it all came together.”
On August 26, 2025, Debbie and her two daughters flew to London to meet Jane for the very first time. Debbie’s daughter Kimberly Johnson captured the unforgettable moment. “To think they’ve been friends for over five decades but have never actually met… It’s crazy!” Kimberly says.
@shiver.me.kimbers.nj DEB FINALLY MET HER PEN PAL AFTER 51 YEARS 🥹🥹🥹 #london #penpal ♬ Bittersweet Symphony – Marc Scibilia
The reunion was everything they dreamed of. The pair hugged for the first time before heading out to explore London together, visiting Buckingham Palace, enjoying a pub stop where Debbie shared old photos and cards Jane had sent over the years, and wrapping up their nostalgic day with lunch at Hard Rock Café.
“It was a great day,” Debbie admits. “I did wonder how we would get along in person, but it truly was like being with an old friend.”
Reflecting on a friendship that has outlasted decades, distance, and the changes of life, Debbie puts it simply:
“Without realizing it, over time, I created a true friendship with someone without meeting them. It’s been a fun, happy thing.”
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