The Fading Tradition of Correspondence Via Snail Mail and Friendship Discovery
The art of forging connections through words stirs something deep within my heart. As a Libra who relishes harmony and human connections, pen-palling has always been a sanctuary for me. It's about sharing stories, thoughts, and creativity in a slow, mindful manner, away from the chaos of digital communication.
My journey begins in 2014 when social media platforms were still a mystery. Among them was Tumblr, an eclectic, aesthetically pleasing space where people shared their passions, from fandoms to art, one reblog at a time. A creative soul equipped with doodles and stationary, I yearned for a friend who understood the rhythm of my heartbeat and shared my love for papercraft.
So, I embarked on a quest to find a pen pal, stumbling upon thriving Tumblr communities dedicated to connecting people based on age, interests, aesthetics, and more. It felt like the coziest matchmaking service for letter enthusiasts.
I crossed paths with Mariah, a few years older and hailing from Tennessee, while I was still residing in Ohio. We started chatting online and decided to transcend our friendship offline by sending snail mail. We exchanged addresses, adorned our envelopes with washi tape and doodles, and embarked on a unique friendship that changed the course of my life.
Correspondence by mail is an intimate affair. It's a way to witness the handwriting, moods, and personalities of the recipient as they pour their thoughts onto paper. Our exchanges went beyond words. We included stickers, playlists, poems, mini gifts, and pages that smelled of lavender or scented markers. It was a charming fusion of fandom girlhood, creativity, and nostalgic charm, tied together with forever stamps.
Mariah became an essential part of my week. And when we decided to meet in person, it marked the beginning of the deepest friendship I've ever known. Subsequently, we reunited once a year, creating a series of sleepover-like vacations filled with laughter, shared dreams, and deep conversations.
Fast forward a decade, and Mariah and I remain best friends. We've embraced modern communication too but our primary mode of expression remains letters. The process of writing and receiving letters feels therapeutic and a breath of fresh air amidst our hectic lives.
In today's world wherever there's a void to be filled with connection, you're likely to find a pen pal community ready to fill it. Whether it's a Reddit sub, a dedicated website, or a zine community, pen-palling is experiencing a resurgence. In an overloaded digital universe, sending letters feels rebellious, emotional, and, above all, creative.
You can create your own stationery, decorate envelopes, exchange book recommendations, craft mini collages, or share fandom art and playlists, all while pouring your soul onto paper. The beauty lies in the personal touch and the slow, meditative process of penning down your thoughts.
And so, if you've ever fancied using a pen to touch the heart of a stranger, you may be in for a life-changing experience. After all, it changed mine.
- Sharing our interests and passions beyond the digital world, we included 'nerdy merchandise' and 'fandom art' in our snail mail exchanges, fostering a bond that transcended the boundary of screen and paper.
- As our friendship deepened, we discovered commonalities in 'lifestyle' and 'fashion-and-beauty', exchanging personal recommendations on makeup, clothes, and home decoration, enhancing the charm of our correspondence.
- During our sleepover-like vacations, we embraced the local 'food-and-drink' culture, savoring dishes that reflected the unique flavors of the places we visited, enriching our shared experiences.
- Just like our home interiors, our 'home-and-garden' conversations flourished over time, discussing plant care, DIY projects, and home organization tips, finding parallels in nurturing our friendship and nurturing our spaces.
- Rekindling lost connections or forging new ones, 'pets' and 'travel' journeys became additional topics of interest, signing off letters with photos of our furry companions or candid travel snapshots, capturing the essence of our lives and moments.
