Introverted like me, I have always preferred the old-fashioned way of communication. From a young age, I have been writing letters to my friends to stay in touch. I have also made pen pals with people at my university and online. I always feel more comfortable expressing myself in writing.
Back in February 2017, I downloaded Slowly after reading a news article about it. I was heartbroken at the time and longed for new friendships. I also wanted someone to listen and share my thoughts. I didn’t quite like the idea of dating apps, as I felt they were too intentional and instant. People swipe, choose, chat for a bit, look at photos, and see if they are interested, then move on to the next one. This was not what I wanted in friendships and relationships. I wanted to be deeply intertwined with people’s souls, not just to choose friends or partners based on their appearance or criteria, as if I were choosing an apple at a fruit stall.
I received a short and sweet letter shortly after I downloaded the app. It wrote (in Cantonese), “I am a person who does not express myself well, but I would like to know more about you and try to express myself better.” The person then signed off as “A person with heart”. I felt that this was a genuine person, so I replied with warmth.
We quickly clicked (as friends) and started becoming close pen pals. To him, I was his very first pen pal. Throughout his life, he had never tried opening himself up entirely to another person, but he felt like he could speak his thoughts openly to me. As for me, I found a person who genuinely wants to know and understand me. He was patient enough to read all my lengthy letters about my recent thoughts and reflections. He was also interested in knowing the music and books I was reading. We both cherished this friendship a lot. He was the first person I wrote to when I experienced an assault. He also stayed with me (with his words) during my family traumas in that year.
After a year, we decided to meet as we were both interested in movies. We both discussed how difficult it was to find someone to watch horror movies with. It was nothing romantic initially. But slowly, when we met and chatted in person, we began to feel the chemistry between us.
The rest was history. We started dating shortly afterwards, and we were each other’s first love. Now, after 7.5 years, we are getting married at the end of this year.
I have never dreamt of meeting the love of my life on Slowly. I often think about how magical it is that the person who sent me the first letter on Slowly has become the person I am now building our lives with.
We want to thank Slowly for facilitating so many beautiful relationships. If it weren’t for you, we would never have met. We wish you all the best, and may everyone find the love of their lives, too.
