Wednesday, December 6, 2017

A 22-Year-Old Traveled Over 1,000 Miles To Meet An 81-Year-Old He Befriended Through "Words With Friends"

He’s a rapper from East Harlem, she’s a retiree in Florida, and now they are IRL friends.

Spencer Sleyon is a 22-year-old rapper and producer. He just moved to New York a few months ago from Silver Spring, Maryland, to pursue his dreams of a music career.

Spencer Sleyon is a 22-year-old rapper and producer. He just moved to New York a few months ago from Silver Spring, Maryland, to pursue his dreams of a music career.

Spencer Sleyon

Last year, Spencer began playing the app "Words With Friends." Around July, he hit the game's "random" game option, and connected with an 81-year-old woman in Florida named Rosalind, nicknamed Roz.

Spencer told BuzzFeed News he "only played the game when I was bored."

However, he soon developed quite a rivalry with Roz. They would play multiple games at a time, and began to chat in the app.

"I was only playing those games with Rosalind," he said. "Eventually, we would just start chatting about current events in 2016."

In one of their conversations, Spencer mentioned to Roz that he was considering moving to New York to pursue his dreams of a rap career. She encouraged him to go after it, he said.

"Whatever you want, just go grab it," he said she told him.

Her words stuck with him. However, around December, Spencer grew too busy with life and deleted the game. He moved to NYC, and reconnected with an old high school friend, named Hannah.

Instagram: @wordswithfriends

One day, he was at Hannah's house and he began discussing his friendship with Roz. Hannah's mom, Rev. Amy Butler, heard the conversation and was immediately intrigued.

One day, he was at Hannah's house and he began discussing his friendship with Roz. Hannah's mom, Rev. Amy Butler, heard the conversation and was immediately intrigued.

Butler, the senior minister of The Riverside Church in Manhattan, told BuzzFeed News she was taken by his story.

She said her ministry focuses on creating connections with people, and she had an idea.

"[I thought] it would be really cool to close the circle and arrange for them to meet in person," she said.

Spencer agreed, and re-downloaded the app to reconnect with his pal.

Amy Butler

OMG, I can't even!

OMG, I can't even!

"It was actually awesome, it didn't feel like I was meeting her for the first time," Spencer said.

Amy Butler

The pals chatted, and got to know each other better. Butler said Roz even booked them a special table at a restaurant for their hangout.

The pals chatted, and got to know each other better. Butler said Roz even booked them a special table at a restaurant for their hangout.

"She had chosen the table so Spencer could see the ocean," Butler said.

Butler said she asked Roz why she decided to meet them, and she had a great answer.

"You know life is all about taking chances, Spencer felt like a friend to me," she said Roz told her.

Amy Butler

And if you're wondering, Spencer said he was the clear winner of the rivalry. And he has the RECEIPTS!

And if you're wondering, Spencer said he was the clear winner of the rivalry. And he has the RECEIPTS!

Spencer Sleyon



from BuzzFeed - USNews http://ift.tt/2k167Ec

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