80 years ago, I was about 13. Paul was the same age as me, his sister Renee was two years younger, and they lived in France. Then I wrote the first1to them. I was interested in languages, so I was pleased when my French teacher made2pen pals.
It was quite exciting to get a letter from a foreign country,3I looked forward to receiving their reply. Because they weren't good at English, we were all writing in4, which helped me get a good knowledge of their language.
I decided to go to France on holiday in 1949 to meet them, but Paul was in the army, and Renee was away skiing. The first time I met Renee, she picked me up at the station, and she drove me to so many places of interest.
I5met Paul, which was really a pity for me in my whole life. In 1955, I got6news from Renee. She told me that Paul had died shortly after leaving the army, before I had a chance to meet him for the first time.
Renee and I7writing to each other, and our friendship became deeper. We talked about our families and our hobbies in life. Later, I moved to South Africa for a while, married, had children, and changed jobs.
Renee never married and worked as a nurse8half her life. As I continued to visit, I got to know her whole family, including her distant (远方的) cousins all over France. I was so welcomed into their home life that I never felt like a tourist.
I'm 93 now and I still write to Renee. She has9writing now, so she phones me to reply. Most people don't seem to have the time for letters anymore, but it gives me great pleasure to write.
My letters with Renee have10 a different and wonderful picture of what's happening outside the UK to me. More importantly, this is the most precious friendship I have ever had.
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