We met as teens, so we’ve seen each other through ballet and boyfriends, husbands (one each) and kids. Distance hasn’t diminished our friendship. The talk is about books and recipes, these days, but when we get together we might as well be 15 and 16 again–light as air, fresh as daisies (her favorite flower)–for it seems like we’re that young again.
Now, her preschool-age boy is learning his letters, and so she thought it’d be fun to send letters–good, old fashioned paper, stamped and through the mail. My boys responded, in print and in cursive (a skill in-process), and included in their package a few googly eyes. Because every kids’ craft is better with googly eyes.
My friend reminded me of our days as teenage pen pals, before email. Yes, there was such a time. Family vacations. Summer ballet school. These were occasions when you wrote to your friends, wherever they were, and described your days. The sending was almost as exciting as the receiving. Postcards were good, but cards were even better.
Never have I received a prettier card than this one though–an old card made new with pasted paper inside and subtle threaded accents on the cover design. Can you see it?
Thank you, friend!
I’m chronicling our isolation with the help of WordPress Discover Prompts. This post was in response to Discover’s daily prompts: Distance and New. Care to join in? Read others’ responses here. My other prompts responses:
- Day 14, 15: Book and Scent
- Day 13: Light
- Day 11: Bite
- Day 9: Pair
- Day 8: Curve
- Day 6: Hand
- Day 3: Song
- Day 2: Open
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Rust Belt Girl 
Penpal, I do miss the old good times!
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That was beautiful. Thank you for sharing your post. It must be lovely to have a friendship that has developed over the many years. I must admit, there is something special about receiving a letter these days!
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Wow, amazing. thank you for sharing
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Thank you for visiting!
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how wonderful! Pen pals were great things to have, weren’t they? Forever friends are even better! I once was part of an artists group, writers, song writers, poets, artists and each month we would have three words as prompts, it was always so interesting to see what came from those prompts. I will have to check this out. Thanks, stay well. Cathi (DAF)
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Thanks for reading, Cathi! It is fun to see how people interpret writing prompts–each with their own spin or take on things.
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So true. I really enjoyed yours!
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I loved sending and receiving letters over the years, and especially as a teen when we moved away from my friends. Also loved letters from grandparents. You remind me I should write to my great-aunt. I’m glad your boys will get to have that experience.
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I’m glad this was a little reminder, Eilene. I have an aunt who always puts a couple stickers on letters or cards to me–even at my age. I still love it. Hope you’re faring well through these strange days, and thanks for stopping by!
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I was re reading old valentines i was sent by the lady of this manor back in the 80s. Such sweet memories to see them written rather than a quick mail.
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I love this, Geoff. So nice that you kept them!
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Yes I keep so much and occassionally it’s useful
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Aw, this is such a heart-warming post!! I love it! And yes, that’s a beautiful card.
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Thanks, Shelley. My dad has chimed in, too, that he’d like pen pals–so we’re all going to be getting out our stationery over here!
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That’s awesome! And it helps the kids practice handwriting. I remember how important that was to learn back in the days I grew up 🙂
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Just last week, I sent an actual thing through the mail to my parents. Not a letter, but something I’d cut out of the newspaper. Still felt like a novelty to do that.
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What a lovely tribute not only to your friendship, but of sharing the joys of it with your children through sending letters with googly eyes 😊
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More letters to pen pals to send this week… Thank you for reading and commenting!
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Aww it’s nice that your kids start a pen pal connection. Sometimes I want to receive letters in the mail that aren’t bills
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Yes, it’s nice to bring a little excitement–that isn’t trepidation–back to receiving the mail!
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