Why Everyone Should Have a Pen Pal

Long, long ago (probably round about the same time you had a penfriend), I had 4 penfriends: 2 French penfriends, one in New Zealand and one in South Africa. I only ever met one of the French girls because the reason we were penfriends were that her family had looked after my grandad during WWII. My mother visited there when she was a teenager and my grandad took me there once I'd learned a bit of French. After that we took it in turns to visit each other once a year throughout secondary school. We continued to write for many years, at least once a year, and she came to my wedding with her sister and mother. Eventually we lost contact, though, unfortunately. I can't remember how I came across the other penfriends. I think we probably contacted each other through the monthly Guide magazine. I don't remember Jackie having a penfriend column, but like most of us back then, I definitely read the magazine. It's where I learned all my make-up skills. I think having international penfriends back then gave me a more international perspective. My family didn't go on foreign holidays and I'd hardly ever met anyone from abroad, so it was fascinating to learn what was going on in my penfriends' lives. The other French girl came from Annecy and used to send me beautiful calendars of the region, as did my New Zealand friend who sent me calendars of Rotorua and a tiki necklace that really made me want to travel there. Sadly, I've never been to either, nor South Africa, for that matter. My sister also had a SA penfriend, and I remember her being very excited about the celebrations when they got an 'independent' black Homeland. Nowadays, I never write proper letters any more, except for a family summary once a year to go in the Christmas cards. I think it's such a shame that the penfriend idea has more or less ground to a halt, especially when you're learning a foreign language. I definitely improved my French by writing letters and reading. My German was nowhere near as good because I never practised. I notice that my children easily make foreign contacts online through gaming, but everyone wants to practice their English so it doesn't help their foreign language skills. Plus you never have the thrill of opening an envelope.

What a wonderful reason to be pen pals!!! That's something truly special to write to someone who had links with your grandad during the war.

I think Jackie had a one off thing for a pen pal scheme – I certainly don't remember it being a regular thing so maybe that was it. Make up tips indeed… ah those were the days!!!!

You have actually reminded me that I had a pen pal in Turkey at a certain point. Her dad worked on the ships but I have no idea how we came to write to each other. We met up on one occasion (again, no idea how that happened) and she brought a necklace with her with a big purple and white stone on it which I still have to this day.

My dad wrote letters to me whilst I was at university, as did friends, and I think that was the last time I really received hand written news on a regular basis. The thrill of that envelope and getting up to date is something that email will never match!

Thanks so much for sharing your pen pal 'history' – so nice to read your story!!!!