Heartwarming Thread About a Young Girl and Her USPS Pen Pals
The Moving Story of How an 11-Year-Old Became Pen Pals With Mail Carriers Across the Nation
Never underestimate the power of a handwritten letter. One dad recently shared the heartwarming story of how his 11-year-old daughter, Emerson, became pen pals with postal workers across the nation, and in order to even read the Twitter thread, we think you should have mail bags filled with tissues nearby.
"Em has a serious letter writing habit. She maintains active correspondence with over a dozen of her favourite people," Hugh Weber wrote. "And, if you've been the lucky recipient of one of Em's hand decorated letters and envelopes, then you have a pretty good idea of the joy they bring." He went on to illustrate how substantive Emerson's letters are: filled with jokes, artwork, and likely a mention of her love for Taylor Swift.
"I make people happy with my letters, but you do too."
After sending so many letters over time, Emerson decided to write one to her local mail carrier, Doug. "I wanted to thank you for taking my letters and delivering them. You are very important to me. I make people happy with my letters, but you do too," Emerson wrote. She added, "The reason you are very important in my life is because I don't have a phone so how else am I supposed to stay in touch with my friends? You make it possible!" Already feeling emotional? Just you wait.
As it turns out, Doug shared Emerson's letter with his supervisor, Sara, and they each wrote letters back to her. Not only that, but Sara also spotlighted Emerson in an internal newsletter — inspiring postal workers across the region to write to Emerson! "We saw Doug getting out of the truck with two BOXES of letters from around the country," Hugh wrote. "We snapped a quick photo through the door as he and Emerson met for the first time. It was a beautiful moment on silent reciprocity."
The letters were filled with words of gratitude, anecdotes, and even stamps for Emerson to start a collection. "These letters are so deeply human," Hugh wrote, adding: "But, there was something more in these letters. People felt seen — some for the first time in a long time." Emerson soon got to work on writing back to each and every new pen pal.
Emerson's simple but profound act, which caused a truly inspiring chain reaction, offers a lesson on reaching out and connecting with those around you, particularly during this difficult time. "I'm not sharing this because I'm a proud dad," Hugh noted. "I'm sharing it because it is relatively easy, if we take the time, to give others the one thing they need to be well — human connection. I have a friend that says we all just want to be seen, known and loved. Em does this boldly." Read the powerful thread in its entirety ahead.
