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How teenage pen pals became partners for life How Devon and Singapore pen pals became partners for life
(2 months later)
Chad and Alena Benson said they were partners and best friendsChad and Alena Benson said they were partners and best friends
It started with a letter and it bloomed into a life-long relationship for Chad and Alena Benson.It started with a letter and it bloomed into a life-long relationship for Chad and Alena Benson.
The couple who became pen pals aged 17 in 1986, are now marking nearly 30 years of marriage.The couple who became pen pals aged 17 in 1986, are now marking nearly 30 years of marriage.
Alena, from Singapore, initiated the exchange, writing to several people worldwide, including Chad from Plymouth.Alena, from Singapore, initiated the exchange, writing to several people worldwide, including Chad from Plymouth.
"I just sent it for the fun of it, not thinking that I was going to get a reply," said Alena, 55."I just sent it for the fun of it, not thinking that I was going to get a reply," said Alena, 55.
The couple sent pictures of each other in their first lettersThe couple sent pictures of each other in their first letters
Their correspondence flourished from their first letters.Their correspondence flourished from their first letters.
"My mother and father are self-employed fishmongers, and they own a shop in Stoke selling wet fish, shellfish, smoked fish, and also they fry fish and chips for their customers," said Plymouth City Council gardener Chad when he introduced his family."My mother and father are self-employed fishmongers, and they own a shop in Stoke selling wet fish, shellfish, smoked fish, and also they fry fish and chips for their customers," said Plymouth City Council gardener Chad when he introduced his family.
"I'm living in a small country called Singapore, very far away from England, but looking at the world's map, you can see that Singapore is surprisingly, very, very tiny," said Alena when she described her home."I'm living in a small country called Singapore, very far away from England, but looking at the world's map, you can see that Singapore is surprisingly, very, very tiny," said Alena when she described her home.
Their letters continued through the late 1980s and in 1993, nurse Alena decided to visit pen pal Chad in the UK.Their letters continued through the late 1980s and in 1993, nurse Alena decided to visit pen pal Chad in the UK.
"I just wanted to travel, so it was just a stopover to come and see him," said Alena."I just wanted to travel, so it was just a stopover to come and see him," said Alena.
Chad, 56, said on meeting Alena for the first time: "She was just drop-dead gorgeous, I thought, 'Oh my. She can't be my pen pal.'"Chad, 56, said on meeting Alena for the first time: "She was just drop-dead gorgeous, I thought, 'Oh my. She can't be my pen pal.'"
The visit was only 19 days, but they realised their bond was more than just friendship.The visit was only 19 days, but they realised their bond was more than just friendship.
Chad and Alena married in 1996, two years after Chad's visit to SingaporeChad and Alena married in 1996, two years after Chad's visit to Singapore
After Alena returned to Singapore, the pair began daily phone calls, despite the high costs.After Alena returned to Singapore, the pair began daily phone calls, despite the high costs.
"My mum said, 'Chad, you've got to pay this bill off'."My mum said, 'Chad, you've got to pay this bill off'.
"I think it was about £350 a quarter or something like that.""I think it was about £350 a quarter or something like that."
They also started exchanging cassette tapes of each other chatting, more than 100 tapes were sent between the two of them, before their relationship took a major turn.They also started exchanging cassette tapes of each other chatting, more than 100 tapes were sent between the two of them, before their relationship took a major turn.
From teenage pen pals to happily married
Chad from Plymouth and Alena in Singapore first met through a pen pal scheme
Cassette tapes took over from letters as the relationship blossomedCassette tapes took over from letters as the relationship blossomed
In February 1994, Chad visited Alena in Singapore and he proposed to her, despite initial resistance from her parents.In February 1994, Chad visited Alena in Singapore and he proposed to her, despite initial resistance from her parents.
"I said I would not marry anyone else and they realised it was serious and they didn't stop me," she said."I said I would not marry anyone else and they realised it was serious and they didn't stop me," she said.
Alena moved to the UK in 1995, bringing with her all the letters and cassettes they had exchanged.Alena moved to the UK in 1995, bringing with her all the letters and cassettes they had exchanged.
Both admit that young people brought up with social media find it hard to understand that they met through the very analogue form of letters.Both admit that young people brought up with social media find it hard to understand that they met through the very analogue form of letters.
The International Youth Service, which gave the impetus to the letters exchange, has since closed.The International Youth Service, which gave the impetus to the letters exchange, has since closed.
They married on 17 February 1996, two years after Chad's visit to Singapore and now have three children.They married on 17 February 1996, two years after Chad's visit to Singapore and now have three children.
"At the end of the day she's my best friend," said Chad, who said he still listens to the cassettes at their home in Yealmpton, Devon."At the end of the day she's my best friend," said Chad, who said he still listens to the cassettes at their home in Yealmpton, Devon.
"And you're my best friend," said Alena."And you're my best friend," said Alena.
Their wedding which was modest, with a budget of £2,000, marked the culmination of their decade-long journey from pen pals to life partners.Their wedding which was modest, with a budget of £2,000, marked the culmination of their decade-long journey from pen pals to life partners.
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