The Lost Art of Penpalling: Why You Should Write

When was the last time you got something in the mail that wasn’t a bill or some random coupon you didn’t ask for? A real letter — with your name written by hand, maybe a little sticker on the corner, the paper still cool from the mailbox. You can almost tell what kind of house it came from just by the way it smells.

There’s something so personal about a letter.

I’ve been journaling since I was little — probably since I could hold a pencil. It’s never been fancy. Just writing what was on my heart and mind: prayers, verses, questions, lists, random thoughts I needed to get out of my head.

When I was around 12, I started penpalling. My first penpal was a sweet Christian lady I still write to today (six years later!). It didn’t take long for it to become something I genuinely looked forward to. Over the years, I’ve added a few more penpals to the mix — four total now, though I write most often to two of them. Funny thing is, they all live in Kansas.

Completely unplanned. I’d really love to find a penpal outside the U.S. someday — England or Italy would be amazing. Just imagining a letter crossing oceans and arriving in my mailbox makes me smile.

What I love most about penpalling is how slow and intentional it is. You’re not just firing off a quick text. You’re sitting down, usually with a quiet moment and a warm drink, and you’re choosing to share your life — a few pages at a time. And then you wait. That waiting is part of the beauty and one of the best parts.

It’s not just about letters. It’s about connection.

It’s kind of like a slower kind of friendship. You learn how to listen better. You pay closer attention to someone’s words. You care enough to write back — not perfectly, but thoughtfully. And honestly, that feels rare these days.

Sometimes I’ll decorate the envelope with stickers or dried flowers. Sometimes I’ll tuck in a tea bag or a little handmade thing. Other times, it’s just a letter written on lined paper. It doesn’t have to be anything fancy to matter. Some of my favorite letters have been the simplest ones.

Something else I’ve come to really value is how penpalling gives me the chance to be a witness — especially with penpals who don’t go to church or know Christ. I don’t mean writing sermons in letter form or anything like that, but just being open about what I believe and how the Lord is working in my life. Sharing Scripture here and there, even just writing with kindness and sincerity — it plants seeds, and the Holy Spirit finishes the job. It might feel small, but sometimes those small things lead to deeper conversations. And who knows what work the Lord and the Holy Spirit will do to the people's hearts?

And maybe that’s why penpalling is slowly coming back. People might want something real — something we can hold in our hands and save in a box and re-read years later. Something your kids can read!

So if you’ve ever thought about writing letters, just start. Find a penpal. Grab some paper. Say hello. You don’t need to be perfect — just honest. There’s so much beauty in the little things, and letter writing is one of them.

Who knows? Your next favorite friendship might be waiting in a mailbox.

xoxo,

Lily