‘That’s my letter’: Pen pal and former naval officer unknowingly reunite 35 years later

Pen pal and former naval officer unknowingly reunite three decades later. CTV London's Brent Lale has the story.

It was an improbable reunion more than three decades later.

To tell this story, you must flashback to 1990 when the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) sent members to participate in the Persian Gulf War.

“I was in New Victoria, Cape Breton and there was ad in the (Cape Breton) Post to write to a service member overseas and show your support,” said Lisa Johnson.

“I had done that, and I received a letter back from Rick Austin, from the Persian Gulf. I kept that letter for 35 years.”

Halfway around the world, RCN Petty Officer Richard Austin was patrolling the sea aboard the HMCS Athabaskan.

“In my way back to my watch station on the ship, I would just stop by the sick bay and the boxes there, and I grab letters and take them,” said Richard Austin, a retired RCN petty officer.

“When I got to where I was going, I would read them, and I think it was the pink envelope which caught my eye.”

Austin would write back and keep notes of all the people he sent to in a notebook.

“I was dealing with a weapon system, and I was all alone for like 12 hours a day, so I had to have something to occupy my mind,” said Austin.

“You are in a negative place and a scary place. The letters would just lift your spirits up and I would have something to look forward to when I went on watch, because my watch was waiting for bad things to happen. This was a great distraction for me.”

This is where things start to get unbelievable.

Fast forward three decades later and Johnson has moved from the east coast to London, Ontario and works as a server.

“I serve these two gentlemen, Rick and Mike, we got to chatting and I said, ‘I wrote to Navy personnel back in 1990. I have the letter here,’” said Johnson who had taken a photo of Austin’s letter in case it got lost.

“When I produced the photo of the letter, Rick said to me, ‘Lisa, that’s my writing.’ I just got goosebumps and thought there’s no way.”

Austin joked that Johnson almost fell to the floor.

“When she showed it to me, I recognized my writing and my unique, computer graphics and thought ‘Oh wow!’” said Austin.

The two now see each other every weekend when Richard and his friend come in for breakfast.

“He served us in the military and now I get to serve him,” said Johnson.

It is rare for military stories to have a happy ending.

This one not only makes you feel warm inside but has a tale worthy of a Hollywood script.

“Every time I tell people, they’re just in awe and it just makes their heart happy we met,” said Johnson.

“A random letter that Rick had picked out of thousands of letters and mine just happened to be one of those. It’s an incredible, feel-good story.”