Recently I have noticed more and more pen pal requests on the Facebook groups I am involved in. My guess is that the pandemic has caused the increase in requests because more people are self-quarantined and are feeling lonely. Human contact is necessary, and this is a wonderful way to make new friends without having to expose yourself too much.
I remember when I was in grade school, I had a pen pal who lived in Spain. It was so much fun to learn about her traditions, her home life, and how in some cases, it was remarkably similar to mine. These days, it is easier to “see” how others live if you have social media friends from different countries. Sometimes though, physical letters in the mail are so much better. Who doesn’t like to see a card or letter envelope in the mail mixed in with the bills and junk mail? I always feel that it took extra time, care and thought, to send an actual letter versus an email, text, or social media post. I am one of those people who is terrible at mailing birthday cards. Thank goodness for Facebook on that one! If I want to send out a Birthday card, I have to write it in my calendar a week before the big day. However, responding to pen pals is a whole other story.
With pen pal letters, I have a physical reminder to send out a response. When I receive a letter, I date the envelope and then when I mail a response, I write that date on the envelope as well. This way I can stay on top of my responses.
Do you have a pen pal?
All of my pen pal cards are handmade. The one on the right went out to a pen pal today. The cards don’t need to be super fancy to let the person know you were thinking of them.
If the response is going to be longer, I write it on decorated paper if I have some. Most of the time it is on legal pads. Note to Self: Make decorated stationary!! LOL.
Let It Snow Stamping 