An American woman used love letters written in the 60s to unite a soldier with his lover.
Chelsey Brown, 28, from New York City, United States found the letters at a local flea market, and that’s when she decided to track down the recipient – who was mentioned with the nickname ‘Cookie’ in the letters.
The letters with romantic notes were signed by ‘Bobby’, who appears to have been a soldier at that time. Bobby tells his lover that he is thinking of her and sending love, along with keeping her up to date with his whereabouts.
Chelsey is a regular visitor of charity shops and flea markets, couldn’t use the census to track down the address on the letters, so she used Google to find out Cookie’s real name.
Finally, she found her on MyHeritage and that she was still quite possibly alive.
The blogger, Chelsey went on to contact one of Cookie’s close cousins, to who she was able to send the letters.
“I saw them in the flea market and instantly knew these were something special,” Chelsey said.
“I always pick up love letters if they have a name or address on them.
“This was the first time I was able to give back an item directly to someone who was still living versus a descendant or close family member.
“I normally pick up items over 100 years old, but I can’t turn away from love letters. What makes these even more special is that the recipient never received the letters in the first place.”
Cookie was thrilled to receive those lost letters, the ones she had never received.
Her cousin said: “Cookie was an airline hostess in New York back then. She remembers this person, and she’s in tears, according to my mom, who was FaceTiming her.
“Cookie said she is enjoying reading the letters with a big smile.”
Chelsey has made it a hobby to return heirlooms from flea markets and has already sent back around 200 antiques to the closest family members alive.
Chelsea said: “I spend my own money on this and postage and never ask for repayment from families.
“I have spent well over $1,000 as NYC flea markets are a bit expensive. I’ve also spent hundreds on postage.”