Wednesday, May 7, 2014

Penpal 101

Last night I was messaging with the daughter of a friend and she agreed to be my penpal so this morning I sat down and wrote her a card.
 
I got to thinking about it and I wonder if it is hard for people to start a penpal relationship.  It never has been for me but I've been writing to my friends and acquaintances for a very long time.  So I came up with a list that I think would be helpful for anyone who wants to be a penpal. 
 
I hope you'll try it.  I've been on a mission to bring back hand-written letters. I've never stopped writing and I hope if it is something you used to love doing that perhaps you'll just write one card to either a family member or maybe an old friend.  It's never too late to start.
 
If you are just beginning with someone you don't know well, here is an idea for getting the conversation going. Please, by all means, take what you want from this and leave the rest.
 
Dear (penpal):
 
I am happy to add you to my penpal list! I have a couple of people in my life who like to write. It's always fun to get mail. I love lists so here is my list of questions for you.  This will be fun!
  • What is your favorite band?
  • Where do you want to travel?
  • What is your main study in college?
  • What is your favorite thing for dinner?
  • Do you have a dog?
  • What is your favorite movie?
  • What do you do for fun?
  • Do you have many penpals?
  • Is this too many questions?
  • Will you write me back?
Truly yours, susan
 
Do you have penpals?  What do you write about?
 
love, susan


6 comments:

  1. Penpals! Wow, I haven't thought about my penpals in ages! Although over the years I have often wondered how they are, where they are, etc. I haven't had a penpal since I was 12 and 13 years old! I don't know that I could get into the handwritten notes though. I'm so bad at that...

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    1. I know what you mean ... there are only so many hours in a day. I often times get a card from someone and my soft rule is to try to return the favor within 2 weeks but I'm lucky if it is a month! No matter. My pals are always glad to hear from me no matter how much time goes by. The one thing I love about writing back and forth with my son and daughter-in-law is that I have samples of their handwriting. When my grandmother died a couple of years ago, my aunt gave be back all the letters I had written her. She had saved them and I have save hers. Thanks for commenting! Love that!

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  2. Oh I'm so bad at pen palling. I do well for a bit but then life happens and months go by before I hit another jag of being good at it. I'm in one of my lulls right now unfortunately. Hopefully this summer I'll get back into it again :)

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    Replies
    1. Even if you write just one ... I guarantee it will make the receiver so happy! Thanks for reading and commenting. I appreciate it more than you'll ever know!

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  3. I had a penpal when I was maybe 12 or 13? I don't even remember what we wrote about or how we found each other ( I think it was something arranged by my school at the time), but I loved it! I think that's where my love of getting mail really started. I would be so excited to see the envelope with the air mail stickers and whatever other fun little girl stickers Irina would put on. I think handwritten letters are a lost art and should be brought back. I have many friendships with childhood friends that have continued or been rekindled by Facebook and I've often thought or resuming a letter exchange with them, just because it's warmer and so much more personal to write and receive letters than a post! I think I might just do that after reading your post today Susan! Thanks for the incentive :-)

    Renata

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  4. Oh, I hope you do! The receiver will be the most happy. FB just isn't the same, is it.

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