PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania -- Despite 50 years of friendship, pen pals Carolyn Evans and Connie McNiel had never met in person. That is, until now.

It started in 1975 when Evans, from Whitehall, Pennsylvania, responded to a television commercial. It encouraged kids like her to send in their information and be matched up with a pen pal.

McNiel's 5th-grade class in California was on the other end of the deal. She remembers her teacher handing out cards with names and addresses on them.

She sent out two letters, but she only received a response from Evans.

First by mail, then by phone, then by social media. The two pen pals have spent the last half-century side-by-side, but never in person.

They decided they would finally meet in time for their 50th anniversary of friendship.

McNiel fl

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