Over the years, we have laughed together, celebrated each other's victories and birthdays, cried together, supported each other, given each other advice, and hyped each other up to move on during hard times.

I have found joy in celebrating and preserving the essence of my cultural roots through heartfelt exchanges.

On that day, neither of us knew that we would become such great friends.

Three days after the two-year anniversary of our first letter, something incredible happened: we met in person.

Over time, the letters grew longer, more thoughtful, as we discovered shared passions for poetry, travel, and finding meaning in life’s little nuances.

We are like stars, and each star is different from the others.

I thought that I wouldn't be able to make friends with her, because there was an age difference...

My intuition told me it was him—my destined emotional confidant.

Ella en Jessica leerden elkaar kennen via Slowly toen ze 15 waren. Na drie jaar brieven uitwisselen, reisden ze op hun 18e 3.700 mijl om elkaar persoonlijk te ontmoeten—en nu plannen ze hun volgende ontmoeting in 2026.

Slowly helps like a bosom friend who come close to absorb all the grief...

I have a beautiful memory of friendship: the time I met my penpal in person after three years of writing letters to each other.

From strangers, to online penpals, to best friends, and now onwards to life companions.