Growing up with a pen pal was once the norm for Aussies and people right around the world – with many keeping up the correspondance for years to come. But in an ever-evolving digital world, it seems the art of letter writing is quickly disappearing.

However two pen pals are keen to show the younger generation the joys of writing and receiving handwritten letters. Adelaide’s Jean Wescombe has been writing letters to Jan Rummer in Perth for 70 years – an activity they told 7 News has brought them joy from the age of just 11 years old.

Now the pair have opened up on their unique friendship, revealing they are now both 81 years old and have shared “every treasured moment” of their lives together.

“1949 when we started to write,” Jan told 7News reporter Tim Noonan as she looked through old letters. “Jean thought of this idea and to celebrate our 70 years of writing together, she sent this beautiful necklace.”