Love letter arrives 53 years later

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- An Indiana teacher made it into "Ripley's Believe it or Not!" when he received a love letter in the mail that was sent 53 years earlier.

Muhammed Siddeeq, an Indianapolis math and science teacher who changed his name from Clark Moore when he converted to Islam in the 1970s, made it into the current edition of "Ripley's," which came out last month, for receiving a letter in 2011 that was sent to him while he was a student at the California University of Pennsylvania in 1958, The Indianapolis Star reported Friday.

The letter was sent by his then-girlfriend, Vonnie, who lived in Pittsburgh. Siddeeq said he and Vonnie were married for eight years and had children together before they divorced "bitterly."

Siddeeq said the letter served one important purpose.

"For the first time the kids could see that their mother and I, at one time, had a good, loving relationship," he said, "which is important for them to know."

Siddeeq said he does not know if the letter was lost by the United States Postal Service or by the university.