"Flower friends" show pen-pals still exist in the age of Instagram

Laura Jeffares, from Napier and Annie Francis, from Sydney enjoying their first face to face meeting. Photo / Paul Taylor

A modern day pen-pal friendship between a Napier florist and an Australian counterpart is blowing up the myth that social media kills real-life human interaction.

About 18 months after Napier's Laura Jeffares left a comment on fellow florist Annie Francis' Instagram photograph, the pair this week met in the flesh for the first and are already collaborating with the aim to bring together an even bigger bunch of florists to Hawke's Bay next year.

"I commented on her Instagram saying I loved her work and how she inspired me to go out on my own in business. To my surprise she private messaged me back, which was the start of our modern day pen pal friendship," Jeffares said.

"We have always planned to meet in real life, whether the plan was to go to Sydney or she was to come to New Zealand, the she messaged me to ask if I would like her to come over and help out with my stall at the Wild Hearts Wedding Fair."

Francis said the online friendship had now blossomed into a "creative collaboration" as well as a real-life friendship.

"I'm very community-focused over competition, and so is Laura. So we are just putting the focus on like-minded career women working together, instead of competing against each other."

The trip over from Sydney had been an "amazing" experience, she said.

"We've wined and dined in Napier CBD, We've been enjoying Marine Parade, the beautiful planted gardens in Napier, morning yoga and the community morning classes on Marine Parade."

The pair were already planning a return visit to Sydney later this year, and another Hawke's Bay rendezvous was also in the pipeline.

"Annie and I are researching and planning to host a collaboration workshop in Central Hawke's Bay next year," Jeffares said.

Florists Laura Jeffares and Annie Francis, sitting pretty in Napier. Photo / Lola Williams.

"That will be the idyllic setting and also support local farmers, and flower growers."

The Wild Hearts Wedding Fair takes place at Black Barn Vineyards on October 21 and fellow florists interested in collaborating with the pair could get in touch through the Laura Jeffares Florist/Stylist Facebook page or on Instagram.