They met 20 years ago at the Canada Games. Now, these friends have reunited during the torch relay

A chance meeting between two New Brunswick women turned into a Canada Games reunion 20 years in the making, set against the backdrop of a key part of this year's event.

Charlene Parlee and Gisele Thorogood were part of a bus tour travelling aboard the Marine Atlantic ferry on Saturday. When they crossed paths, the two said they knew each other from somewhere else, but said it took some time to place.

"It took me about three hours when it clicked," said Thorogood, from Shediac, N.B.

The women first met in the lead-up to the 2005 Canada Games. Their sons were part of New Brunswick's soccer team, which went on to win a silver medal.

"[It was] 2005 in Regina, in Saskatchewan," said Parlee, from Sussex, N.B. "We were so proud that we got to go."

Their reunion was made more special because of their Canada Games connection, and the circumstances they found themselves in.

WATCH | A bus tour and ferry ride tied to the Canada Games brought these friends together:

Friends reunite with Canada Games torch, 20 years after they first met

12 hours ago

Duration 1:58

A chance meeting between two New Brunswick women turned into a Canada Games reunion 20 years in the making, set against the backdrop of a key part of this year's event. Gisele Thorogood and Charlene Parlee were part of the 2005 Canada Games, and spoke with the CBC’s Adam Walsh about being able to catch up two decades later.

The reunion was aboard the ship carrying the Canada Games torch from Nova Scotia to Newfoundland ahead of the 2025 Canada Summer Games in August.

"We just can't believe that we saw each other, and it's been 20 years. So I'm going to go home and tell my son," Parlee said.

"It's just hard to believe that we're here, Canada Games is here, it's just amazing."

Thorogood said she's eager to rekindle their friendship over the course of their tour, and hopes this years Canada Games will allow athletes to foster those same kind of connections.

"I think it has carried through. Our sons still both play soccer, and their children now play soccer. So it's going through the generations," she said.

"All these young people now are going to have amazing [experiences]," added Parlee. "And they'll meet friends, and they'll never forget it like we do."

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