Pen pals from Brunswick and Hawaii get together after 50 years of correspondance

BRUNSWICK - Two young girls, one from Brook Park, and one from Hawaii, became pen pals 50 years ago. They have shared much of their lives and become dear friends in the process.

Karen Harrison answered an ad in the Cleveland Press in 1960 that asked for people interested in being introduced to a pen pal to write in. Karen thought it was the "in" thing to do, so she replied and was sent a post card announcing her new pen pal.

Irene Matsumoto was a Japanese native living in Hawaii. She needed an English class, which had a required assignment to get a pen pal in the United States. She randomly picked Karen Harrison.

The two wrote back and forth, asking the introductory questions. After a while, they realized they had a lot in common. They had a lot to learn about each other. Irene said that at one point, Karen thought she lived in a grass shack.

Long after Irene's classmates abandoned their pen pals, Irene and Karen kept writing.

They talked about dating, proms, and school. They made a plan to try to visit each other. Irene could not find anyone that wanted to go to Cleveland with her, so she invited Karen to Hawaii. Karen traveled there with a friend after high school graduation.

Irene's mother prepared a big traditional dinner. Karen did not care for the seaweed and eel dishes served to her and she refused to eat. She later confessed to feeling bad for not trying the food, and feels it was not polite.

As time went on, the two married, had children and grandchildren, and still shared every detail with each other. They continued to deepen their  friendship in the process. They have had several occasions to visit each other.

Monday night, Irene and her husband traveled from Hawaii to see Karen in Brunswick.

It had been 20 years since they last seen each other.

There were plenty of hugs and tears of joy as they met again.

They had a picnic with all of Karen's family present. Leis were given and presents exchanged. Irene plans to spend a week with her friend. They plan to visit Amish Country on Tuesday.

Irene is already planning to have Karen visit her in Hawaii again after they both retire. She is saving her airline mileage in preparation for that day.