Six decades ago, as Lyndy McCathie was seated in an East Ayr State School classroom, she was assigned an international pen friend to reach out to as part of the school’s curriculum at the time. Lyndy’s letter was mailed all the way to Japan where it was received and replied to by Yoshiko Okada on the 28th of April, 1965, marking the beginning of a beautiful friendship.
“This was just the start of something very special,” shared Lyndy.
“I could never have imagined that writing a letter requesting a pen friend from another country in Year 6 would begin a lifelong friendship.”
In late April of this year, Lyndy and Yoshiko will celebrate 60 years of friendship and the pair have exchanged over 350 handwritten letters and cards over the years, sharing everything from weddings to welcoming grandchildren.
“Our letters have shared our lives, and our families have become extended families,” added Lyndy.
In 1981, Lyndy and her oldest daughter, Leisa travelled to Japan to meet with Yoshiko in person for the very first time. Both Lyndy and Leisa were warmly welcomed into Yoshiko’s home and family where they were showered with gifts and wonderful experiences in Osaka and beyond.
The pair have been fortunate enough to visit each other’s countries many times, including a couple of years ago when Yoshiko and her husband, Teruaki, stayed with Lyndy and her husband John in Ayr.
Although the times have changed, the way in which the pair choose to keep connected has remained the same.
“Today we still prefer to write a letter as the feeling of getting a letter in your letter box is the same as it was 60 years ago, but emails are shared only here and there for quick exchanges of information.”
Lyndy, John, Yoshiko and Teruaki will meet together in Japan later this year to mark the magnificent milestone and celebrate sharing 60 magical years of friendship with one another.
Lyndy McCathie and Yoshiko Okada have been pen friends for 60 wonderful years (Photo Supplied)
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