I think deep down we all secretly love snail mail. If you’ve never had a “pen pal” or someone you write letters to on a regular basis, give it a try! Perhaps a relative, young or old, a childhood friend who moved away, or a friend who goes to a different college.
Dear Pen Pal,
How are you? Long time, no see. Whenever I get your letters, I get a little nostalgic. You are the reason I am excited when I check my mailbox, surprising me just often enough. I know your address better than my own. I have all of your stationary. I’m obsessed with your handwriting, and the way you draw me funny pictures. You add a smile to my day.
When I first met you, we didn’t have cell phones, so we wrote. When we were far apart, we used it to stay close. We never pretended like we could know everything about each other’s lives, and we knew that we couldn’t share every single moment with each other, so we had to think of the moments that really counted. Those moments, big or small, happy or sad, that were worthy of writing down.
Sometimes, I wish I could just type you a letter, or send you an email, but that would break something sacred. Handwriting is a dying art. When I sit down to write, I think a little bit about my structure, but then I just let the words flow. I don’t get to edit them, other than a simple line through a misspelled word. Thank you for being able to sort through my thoughts, and my sometimes messy handwriting.
I have spent more time with you at a page than in person, but I know you. You are like my favorite book character whose chapters never end. You are the novel whose story I get to jump into.
It is fitting that people who live far apart use the long form of communication to keep in touch. I can’t really be a part of your life, but I still care about your adventures. And so, there is a moment in time every few weeks where I sit down and think about all the things I want to tell you, and spend longer than I expect pouring them out. When I write to you, I think about the interesting things that have happened to me, and the important lessons I have learned that I would want you to know, and find myself learning from my own life. In a few weeks, I will get to read your life revelations, and rejoice that there is someone else in the world who lives a thoughtful life.
Life is so busy. I am thankful that we take the time to write to each other. One day, may we meet up, read through our old letters, and laugh at our troubles, smile at our victories, and celebrate a friendship that never stopped despite the time or distance.
Sincerely,
Your Pen Pal
I hope that you have someone who will write letters for you, and I hope you have someone you will write letters for.
