Penpals Finally Meet After 33 Years

33년 만에 만난 펜팔 

In a nearly empty airport after several delayed flights, Tania Nemer is holding onto 1souvenirs from a long friendship.

“This is the guide of her city. So she wanted me to look and see what her city is like and she put little notes in them.”

The guides and letters have been 2connecting Tania with Jorgette Vitorino over 5,000 miles.

“And we’ve been writing each other since 5th grade, so it’s been about... I’m going to 3age myself... 33 years.”

The penpals met each other when Tania was at Copley, Fairlawn.

“Ms. McGarvey from Copley, she, she’s the one who said, you know we need to 4broaden our horizons and let’s connect with a school in Brazil. And I’m gonna pair you up and connect you.”

Saturday, the two are connected 5in person.

“It was amazing to, to finally arrive.”

And the connection is clear.

“There were so many 6parallels in our lives.”

Both women who always shared a love of writing and birthdays just days apart... grew up to become 7attorneys, raise families and never 8lose touch.

“What I, what I think is so special is that you can have so many wonderful feelings for a person you have never seen before.”

A 9whirlwind trip for Jorgette and her husband includes a 10scavenger hunt around Hudson, Saturday. 

“I wonder…”

The friends exploring northeast Ohio and finding friendship can spark through letters, span continents and last years.

“You know, good people are everywhere and she’s really one of them.”