My garden of pen friendships grows and grows. The longer I pen pal with someone the closer we become and the love of friendship germinates.

Sure not every person I've pen paled with has blossomed into friendship, and I'm always very disapointed it didn't.

I always try again by sowing seeds through friendship books and internet forums. You can never have to many pen pals and I have 5.

The longest pal I've been writting to has been over 15 years. My kids and hers have never met but they have grown up together. I feel like her kids are mine and I'm very proud when one of hers graduates from school or gets married. I'm also brought to tears when one is hurt or miscarries a baby.

I wouldnt feel complete if I weren't shopping for stationary or gel pens to make every letter I send look it's best. The love for paper and checking the mailbox daily started way back when my best friend at the age of 10 moved away. I remember my first stationary set. It had a vanilla scented ice cream cone on it. It was so cute! I wish I could find that set now.

A world with out pen pals would be like a world with out flowers to me.