User blog comment:FallenShadow/Fallen's Reviews: Chapter 341-343/@comment-3177613-20130711194157/@comment-7418318-20130712082622

Why do you think Makarov didn't ever see Mavis when she was alive?

Also I'd put it more like 20+ years, since I somehow doubt Makarov joined FT when he was 5 years old. And even if he hang out in the guild as a child before actually joining (like Romeo or Cana) most people forget things that happened when they were that young.