A woman has been left in tears after reuniting World War 2 love letters found during a home renovation to their rightful owner. Chelsey Brown, from New York City, America, reunites people with their long lost belongings and documents her success stories on TikTok, where she is known as @chelseyibrown.
One of her followers contacted her about a handful of love letters they found when renovating their new home - and asked whether she'd be able to pass them along to the couple involved. Within a few days, Chelsey managed to track down the family and get in touch with their daughter, who was delighted to hear all about her parents' love letters.
She said on TikTok: "The person who found these letters doing their renovation contacted me by email and sent me the contents of the letters and the envelope.
"And just by the information on the envelope, I was able to trace the family within a few days. I got into contact with the daughter between this couple who sent those love letters during World War 2 and her reaction was priceless."
The daughter's son, who replied to Chelsey on his mum's behalf, said: "When I first read Chelsey's Facebook message I first thought it was some sort of scam - someone just fishing for personal information but I soon realised that she was legit and truly looking for the rightful descendants of these letters.
"Knowing that my mum lost her mother [the woman who wrote the letters] when she was 14 and later losing her dad in her early 20s, I was so excited to call and tell her about what I found out.
"I knew she would absolutely love to hear what I had to say. I immediately called my mother to verify the address she grew up in and then told her the message I got from Chelsey.
"She was so surprised and so shocked to hear that something was left in the house she spent her childhood in - something she never knew existed.
"This made my mum so happy. She was anxiously checking the mail every day waiting for the package to arrive."
He went on to thank Chelsey for taking the time to reunite his family with his grandparent's love letters, with Chelsey adding she "looked like the crying emoji when she first got that message".
Commenting on her video, one user said: "You make it seem so easy! You were meant for this work."
Another user added: "I’m in Australia and have some WW1 photos I’m trying to return as well. I’m only just starting this journey - struggling a little! You inspire."
A third user said: "Ma’am I can’t get over how gorgeous you are. And now I am a new follower and you're even more beautiful on the inside. Thank you for your work."
Do you have a story to share? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
