(CNN) — Robbinroger Beever was 15 years old and walking home along a beach in Liberia, West Africa. Kuparinen wasn't confident writing in English, so she composed a message in German, writing about her school, friends, family and life in Finland. Beever wrote to Kuparinen about his growing love of Taiwan, especially the folk art tradition. Courtesy Robbinroger BeeverGösta Mårtensson, the merchant marine who'd kickstarted this letter-writing friendship, was delighted his sister-in-law and the finder of his message in a bottle had stayed in touch. Courtesy Robbinroger BeeverKuparinen met Beever for the first time in person in 2003, at Helsinki Airport.

Source: CNN February 20, 2021 09:00 UTC