I remember having a few different pen pals as a child and teen. A single red and blue striped corner sticking out of a pile of mail meant word from my friend Nami in Japan. I filled letters to her full of teen angst and other important details of my life, which mainly consisted of late night trips to Carrow’s to kill time and torture waitresses with split orders and incessant coffee refills while we waited to grow up.
I found it comforting that half way around the world Nami was doing the exact same thing in sweet shops and noodle joints. I eagerly anticipated her letters, even though, or perhaps because, her access to bullet trains and international travel had me entirely convinced that teen life was better in Japan. And her letters gave me a taste.
A few years earlier, the spring after my 8th grade trip to Washington D.C. had been filled with many shorter trips to the mailbox, anticipating a far less exotic, but much more exciting postmark: New Jersey. And one day it arrived.
Thus commenced a very short lived romantic exchange with a handsome boy I’d met at the Washington Monument. It could have been the stuff of great romance, but we were 13 and quickly bored one another with our tales of homework and groundings and after school sports.
But oh those trips to the mailbox…
Sadly my love affairs on the printed page end there, in the 8th grade. And by college, it was all email. This is mostly a big bummer because someday when I’m dead, my children will have to sift through all 15,278 emails in my inbox in the hopes of finding just one takeyourbreatheaway love letter email.
OR, and this is where you all come in, they could find neat stacks of interesting letters from fascinating and diverse folks from around the world.
Yes please. I choose that.
So in the interest of fostering the fantastic community who joins me here daily (that’s you!) and furthering real life relationships and interaction among online creatives, not to mention doing my unborn children a big sentimental favor, I’m pleased to announce handwritten: a penpal project for 2012.
It’s a simple idea and I’m not reinventing the wheel. Or doing it by myself.
I’m just hoping to connect some RAD ladies (and gents) in real life. To bring back the excitement of heading to the mailbox. And the intoxicating smell of ink on paper.
Oh! And let’s be honest- to justify my love for fancy stationery and old stamps.
You can check out ALL the details right here, and if you’re interested in participating please leave a comment below by February 5th, with your name, city, and if you’d prefer one or two pen pals.
So pick out your stationery, pick up your pens, and let’s get this penpal party started!
*Photos + gorgeous postcards from Lucy Snowe Photography. WANT.
Will you take international? I’m in Bow Island, Canada. One, please!
Yes, absolutely! Excited to have you!
Awesome idea Tabitha! I had a pen pal growing up who lived in South Africa. I always wonder what she’s doing these days. I’d LOVE to be a part of your creative project!! Can’t wait to get started!!
Thanks! So excited to have you!
I’m in!
Nicole
Goshen, In
One pen pal please
Oh this looks like fun! I’d love to! I’ve had penpals from Germany, Japan and Korea, but sadly they seemed to go their separate ways. Life does that.
From CT, USA Two please.
I’d love a pen pal! I miss hand-written mail.
Ruth in Mishawaka, IN. I think I can handle two.
Yes, please! What a fun project!
I’m in Richmond, CA and I’d love one penpal!
Thanks so much for pulling this together.
I’d love at least one pen pal! I prefer speculative writing to news writing–so, why do you think things are the way they are, or how would you make them if you could make them in anyway, as opposed to a catalog of things that are. (Ruth from Mishawaka is my sister. : )
I’m in DeKalb, IL, US.
I would love to be a part of your Penpal project. I am in Australia though, is that ok?
What an amazing idea! Count me in, I would love to be a part of this
So Melissa from Ballina Australia, NSW 
And one please! xx
I would love to be a part of keeping the art of letter writing alive! I hail from Annapolis, MD and would like two pen pals.
i’m in.
megan. LA. one.
i haven’t had a pen pal since i was eight years old. this should be fun!
I am so glad I stumbled upon this as I have been wanting to do something similar for months now! What an amazing idea – count me in! x
I’m SO in! -^_^- I love snail mail and can never find others who feel the same (or follow through)!
Erin from Long Grove, IL.
A real letter in my postbox would be such a treat. So yes, please!
I’m Afizah and I’m based in Bangkok, Thailand with my husband and 3 boys
I would love to be a participant in your next round of pen pals! I love old fashioned hand written “snail mail” letters. I LOVE stationary and work hard to get my two daughters ( who will be the flower girls in Helena Butters wedding!) to write as well. I found your site through her blog. Thank you! Sarah