I remember a short story about someone with an alien pen-pal; over the years he goes through ups and downs and shares with his pen-pal who is supportive always. Eventually he gets to see a picture of her, and learns that she is a very icky stinky non-human alien. He writes to her and tells her he's seen her picture, and thinks she is 'most beautiful'.
I'd like to get this for my daughter - anyone know what it might be? I read it in a short story collection, possibly from a sci-fi magazine. It's maybe 1950's or 1960's vintage?