By Eve Bell

On my alternative to do list for February was a task to write a love letter. This is an ode to a friend that I wanted to share online because that is where our friendship lives.

I’ve always loved writing. Especially letters.

I had so many pen pals when I was younger before communication was instant.

That meant I needed all the pens and stationary.

Pens of every colour and the fanciest writing paper.

Then came the internet and my letter writing faded away.

Until one day about 8 years ago.

I was in an online group of other women in business and I saw a post called Proper Post.

It was about a new stationary subscription business and the founder needed to do some research with a handful of women.

I was like that kid in class who is desperate to be picked, waving my hand in air and reaching it high to the sky.

I was picked.

And it changed my life.

I’ve never been someone who has loads of friends. I’ve never had a girl gang who goes on weekends away and nights out.

I swerved the mums groups at primary school as it just wasn’t my thing.

Introversion doesn’t fit that lifestyle and it always made me feel a bit different.

I didn’t feel anything was missing until this friendship was formed over a love of stationary.

She became one of my biggest cheerleaders.

Who pushes me out of my comfort zone and motivates me to leap.

She is unafraid to stand in her light. And let’s me stand in it too.

But not for long.

Because she always encourages me to stand in my own.

Someone who always has the wisest of words to share when you need them. Usually served up with a swear word or two. Our mantra became ‘fuck it’ and we have matching necklaces saying just that.

We have a shared curiosity and a thirst for knowledge.

We have similar values of fairness and kindness but have different interests.

I love to find answers in nature.

She is immersed in tech.

In a world where our attention spans are being captured for capital means, we have carved out a space to learn how to think critically about the world and question our viewpoints.

And there lies the magic.

The power of vulnerability.

And yet we have never met in person.

We send emails and messages but also cards, letters and books.

Proper post.

Next week we are meeting for the first time.

We are going to watch Letters Live.

Where the power of a humble letter is celebrated.

Serendipity has been encircled our friendship from the start and made it’s way into our first meeting.

Friendships form for a reason, a season or lifetime.

This one is definitely the latter.

Rebecca – I love you xx