(KTLA) — A Southern California woman said she is still in awe after a discovery at a Pasadena flea market led to a heartfelt meeting with television host and actress Ricki Lake.

On Dec. 7, Patricia Scanlon was browsing the Pasadena City College flea market in search of unique treasures.

As an artist, Scanlon said she likes to look for photos to serve as creative inspiration. While browsing the market, she stumbled upon a dusty box of old photos. As she perused the pictures, she realized a woman in the photographs seemed awfully familiar.

“I saw a picture of Ricki Lake, and I stopped in my tracks, and I couldn’t even describe it,” Scanlon recalled. “It was just a palpable connection I had to her.”

Little did she know, the box contained a collection of Lake’s lost family photos, including her son Milo as a toddler and even a thank-you letter Lake had written decades ago for baby gifts.

After realizing who the box belonged to, Scanlon posted photos of the find on Instagram, hoping someone could help her get in touch with Lake. Lake said her friends spotted the post and contacted her immediately.

“It was my friends Romy and Brooke, and they’re like, ‘Hey, did you see this?’ and it was a screenshot of someone on Instagram trying to find me,” Lake said.

On an Instagram Live video chat, Lake and Scanlon spoke for the first time, both expressing how overwhelmed they were by the treasured discovery. 

Lake said the incredible find was especially meaningful to her after she lost her Malibu home in the Palisades fire almost a year ago.

“I thought they were gone forever,” Lake said of the photos. “I had made peace. It was such a heartache and such a painful thing to come to terms with that all of these memories are no longer in front of me, they are just in my mind and heart now, but the fact that you found these is unbelievable.”

The box of photos was sold at an estate sale before the Palisades Fire and somehow ended up at the flea market, seemingly waiting for the right person to come along and discover it.

Scanlon said she’s glad the photos are back with their rightful owner and is happy to hear her story has brought delight to folks during the holiday season.

“The profundity of what happened and also the joy that it’s been bringing people,” Scanlon said. “They’re hungry for good news right now and something to wrap their arms around and to feel good because we’re just inundated with bad news.”

“Good things happen to good people, and I really appreciate you so much, Patty,” Lake said in her call with Scanlon. “Thank you so much!”

Scanlon will be mailing the box of treasured goods to Lake, who is currently living in New York.