Woman Travels 3K Miles to Meet Pen Pal of 51 Years for the First Time (Exclusive)

When Debbie Houschild was 11 years old, she loved watching a children’s television show called Big Blue Marble.

The half-hour ‘70s program often highlighted stories of kids from around the world and encouraged viewers to connect across cultures.

At the end of each episode, the show offered an opportunity to write in and request a pen pal.

Curious and eager to make a new friend, Houschild sent in a letter — not knowing that the person she’d be paired with would become a lifelong companion.

Houschild was matched with Jane Bean, a girl her age living in England, while she herself was growing up in New Jersey.

Despite having nearly 3,500 miles between them, the two quickly bonded through their letters — regularly sharing glimpses into their lives as they grew up in different parts of the world.

“We would tell each other about what was going on in our lives at the time,” Houschild tells PEOPLE exclusively. “Over all the years, that changed from teenage types of things to getting married, jobs, having children and how our lives went from there.”

As the years went on and they grew busier, Houschild and Bean’s communication naturally became less frequent — but they always found ways to stay in touch.

Houschild vividly remembers the moment she first heard Bean’s voice over the phone — a surprising shift after years of exchanging only letters. Their conversations later transitioned to Facebook Messenger and eventually to WhatsApp.

When they were younger, the idea of meeting in person seemed out of reach and financial limitations made it difficult. 

But last year, in one of their exchanges, Bean pointed out that the pair had reached their “golden anniversary” — a milestone neither of them could ignore. 

“I replied that I need to take a trip to England, and she said, ‘Yes, you do,’” Houschild recalls. “I quickly thought this could be a great trip if my daughters can go too, and it all came together.”

Before long, the plans were set, turning a long-held dream into reality. Houschild and her two daughters traveled to London on Aug. 26, 2025, to meet Bean in person for the first time.

Houschild’s daughter, Kimberly Johnson, made sure to capture and document the long-awaited moment between the two pen pals.

“To think they’ve been friends for over five decades but have never actually met… It’s crazy!” Johnson, 29, tells PEOPLE.

Following their first hug, Bean gave Houschild and her two adult daughters a tour of notable London landmarks, including Buckingham Palace. 

Along the way, they paused at a pub to share a drink, where Houschild brought out old photos and cards she had saved from Bean over the years — wrapping up their nostalgic conversations with lunch at a Hard Rock Café. 

“It was a great day,” Houschild admits. “I did wonder how we would get along in person, but it truly was like being with an old friend.”

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What began as a simple connection sparked by a children’s TV show had grown into a rare and lasting friendship, built on decades of shared memories, mailed across the world.

“Without realizing it, over time, I created a true friendship with someone without meeting them,” Houschild says. “It’s been a fun, happy thing.”