AN American’s quest to find a childhood pal in Scotland finally worked when she gave up on social media – and sent an old-fashioned letter across the Atlantic.
Tammy Nelson was friends with Karol Stevenson from Penicuik, Midlothian, in the 1970s but lost contact shortly after returning to the US.
Her social media efforts to track down her old friend failed so Tammy resorted to the dying art of letter writing.
Tammy sent letters from 4,000 miles away in Kansas to the two addresses in Penicuik where she remembered her “wonderful friend” had lived.
It turned out dental receptionist Karol had moved away from the second of the addresses over 40 years ago.
But the new occupant posted Tammy’s letter on Facebook and within a few hours Karol had been traced, still living in the same town.
Karol, 56, said today she had been “blown away” by her old pal’s efforts to find her. Karol has already met Tammy’s daughter, Tara, who was in Scotland for a work trip.
Karol and Tammy, 55, are now firming up plans to meet for the first time since they were 12 and known then as Karol Philips and Tammy Lockwood.
In her handwritten letter, Tammy, an ER nurse, told the current occupants of the homes in Glencross Gardens and Peebles Road: “I am an American that lived in Penicuik, Scotland, back in 1976 when I was 12-years-old.
“I met a wonderful friend while there whom I have lost contact with.
“I have searched through every means (social media) without success. I am now trying the old fashioned letter writing in hopes of finding her or her family.”
She added: “If you know of Karol or her families whereabouts, would you please forward this letter to them.”
Hilariously, Tammy even included the old five-digit phone numbers for her friend – “74334 or 43763”.
Nikki Stephen posted the letter on Facebook with the caption: “I’ve received a letter in the post today from someone called Tammy Lockwood all the way from America. She used to live here in the 60s and 70s and is trying to trace her friend.
“Does anyone know Karol Philips? She had a sister, Gayle, and a brother, Grant, and lived in Glencross Gardens and Peebles Road.”
Several people came forward within hours, including Lisa Rice who commented: “That’s Paul’s auntie.” A Kirsty Soave remarked: “I used to work with Karol and her daughter Hollie you will find on Facebook.”
Hollie Stevenson herself then wrote: “Oh my god – this is my mum mentioned!”
A delighted Karol said today: “I have now been in touch and it’s like we only spoke to each other last week – it’s been amazing.
“On Saturday I travelled into Edinburgh to meet up with her eldest daughter Tara who also lives in Kansas, as she was in Glasgow on business. We had a fantastic day, we spent the day sightseeing in Edinburgh, having lunch talking and laughing.
“We came back to Penicuik where we went up to Cornbank Estate and I showed Tara where her mum had lived and also myself.”
She added: “It was really great I managed to get a hold of Tammy, I was blown away with how the whole thing worked out.
“We’re desperate to go over and she said she’d love to come over here as well. It’s just such a lovely feel good story so special and so unexpected.”
Writing on the page itself, Tammy thanked everyone involved for reuniting the pair.
She said: I’d like to thank any and all of the people for helping me find my dear friend from Penicuik Scotland, Karol Stevenson. I have amazing memories from your awesome city.
“It goes to show you that in these times of hardship in the world, there is still kindness and old school ways of writing letters. Thank you!”
