Dublin Airport has witnessed many heartwarming scenes over the years - but today was extra special, as two pen pals finally met after five decades.
Cathy Dlinn-Cohane from New York and Colleen Mays from Canberra began writing to each other over 50 years ago after seeing pen pal advertisements in the newspaper. The pair sent letters to each other religiously during their childhood and teenage years before unfortunately losing touch when they became young women.
However, thanks to the power of the internet, Colleen was able to track Cathy down on Facebook in 2013 and the long lost friends reconnected. Over the past decade, they have once again become important figures in each other's lives, despite never meeting in person.
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The duo text daily and often share a drink over Facetime, never letting the 14-hour time difference stand in their way. And today they finally got to see each other in the flesh as they began their long-awaited first holiday together.
Speaking to Dublin Live, Cathy and Colleen explained their long history that has led to them both travelling from opposite ends of the world to meet today.
"We wrote to each other a fair bit, that was the only way we could communicate," Colleen said. "Cathy was very good with the gifts.
"We did that until we left school, maybe when we were about 17. Then in 2013, I found Cathy on Facebook. That's why you should never get rid of your maiden name!"
Colleen sent Cathy a Facebook message and then the pair picked up where they left off. "We started Facetiming then," Cathy said.
"It really is like we're in the room together. We talk for hours, even with the time difference. We time it so it's my night and her lunchtime on the weekends."
"I have a glass of wine at lunchtime so I can have a drink with her," Colleen laughed.
Neither of them had ever visited Ireland before so they decided it would be the perfect place to enjoy their first trip together. Colleen said: "I've done my DNA test and I'm actually 22%% Irish.
"My ancestors come from Munster, I haven't researched enough to pinpoint anybody who might be related to me but it's nice to be here."
They have an eventful few days ahead of them in Ireland, with plans to sightsee around Dublin, go on a day trip to Malahide and visit the Blarney Stone.
"We're doing the Viking Splash tour today, my husband got us the tickets for Christmas," Colleen said. "We're very excited."
They will then head to London to finish their trip together.
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