Letter Writer of the Month - Rebecca

by Jennifer Bishop July 20, 2026

The London Letters Pen Pal Club began its life in 2019 with the hope of bringing together letter writing enthusiasts from across the globe to celebrate the joy of receiving letters and the power of the written word.

Over the years we've grown slowly but surely in numbers each week, and we're so proud to now be a 1850+ community of snail mailers! We have members from different countries, ages, religions, sexualities, political views, careers, disabilities, and genders - and whilst our differences vary dramatically, we are all united by a love of letters.

'Letter Writer of the Month' is a monthly journal entry where we invite one member from the club to give us an insight into their journey with letters. Some have always been letter writers from a young age, others only began when they signed up to the club. Our members all have a unique story to tell, and we hope you'll love getting to hear it.

Our Letter Writer of the Month for July is Member No.1352 - Rebecca.

"I still have all of the letters I've ever received in a really beautiful box tucked in my closet. As I've developed new friendships through London Letters, those letters have also made their way into that box - a little piece of history that I've curated from all around the world. Maybe one day my kids will look through them, and gain a little more insight into the life I've lived, and the people who were willing to share parts of their lives and stories with me."

Name: Rebecca
Age: 40
Job Title: Therapist
Location: Canada
Member since: October 2025

Tell us a little about yourself and how you became interested in letter writing?

My name is Rebecca, and I live on the Sunshine Coast of Canada; and the motto of the Coast is "A Rainy Place for Sunny People". I'm 40 years old, have two teenagers, a husband, and a dog named Jasper. I work as a therapist, primarily focusing on trauma, and complex grief, though I love helping folks develop rituals to create their ideal life. I also teach fitness, and run a monthly program called Knit Club; and the first rule of Knit Club is to talk about Knit Club (90s Fight Club reference if you're not familiar).

I'm an avid reader, and not particular to a single genre. Music is my second pulse, and it's rare I don't have something playing in the background. I love hiking, backpacking, and camping, and start every day outside. I'm bilingual in both French and English, so if I invert words, or say something grammatically incorrect I blame it on my bilingual brain. I grew up competing in boxing at an elite level; got really sick as an adult after being bit by a tick. And just this last year I finally feel like things are balancing out, and I'm finally coming back to the version of myself that I really enjoy, with a little more humility, and a dash more wisdom than before.

I've been drawn to writing letters since I was in Elementary school. I had my first pen pal that I wrote to consistently when I was 12 years old. We met after he hit me in the head with a frisbee on a summer camping trip, and as our friendship grew over letter writing, I came to realize that those letters would become part of my story that I left behind.

Do you have a favourite letter, either famous or one you have received personally?

I think my favourite letter is probably the first one I received from "frisbee boy". Haha! It was the beginning of my love of writing. He would always make the envelopes out of old skateboarding magazine pages, and throw in the most random things like a rock he found at the beach, or a golf ball he sawed in half. It was such a cool way to get to know someone. It also taught me a lot about anticipation, and patience.

What is it about letters that you think makes them special?

Even at a young age, I realized letter writing was a legacy hobby. Just like in stories I've read, or movies I've watched where a child or grandchild finds old letters that were tucked away in a dusty box up in the attic, I came to understand that this was one of those pastimes that would live on for centuries if they were cared for. After that, I was hooked, and started writing letters with my friends at school, one of my neighbours, and friends I met on my boxing trips. I still have all of the letters I've ever received in a really beautiful box tucked in my closet. As I've developed new friendships through London Letters, those letters have also made their way into that box - a little piece of history that I've curated from all around the world. Maybe one day my kids will look through them, and gain a little more insight into the life I've lived, and the people who were willing to share parts of their lives and stories with me.

What type of things do you write in letters compared to digital communications?

I feel all my digital communications are centered around professional communication (scheduling and cancelling appointments, asking or answering professional questions...) Whereas with writing letters I'm really taking the time to be intentional with what I'm sharing, and it's definitely more personal in nature. When you put a pen to paper you realize there's so much to say and share, and you could also probably write for hours and hours, but there's also no rush. There will be other letters, other opportunities to share; so you slow down and tend to be a lot more intentional with your words. I also feel like when I write letters people get a small glimpse into the chaos of my brain as I scratch things out, and try again. Sometimes my brain moves faster than my hand allows. :)

Do you feel any positive benefits to your mental health when you write?

Writing letters most definitely has a positive effect on my mental health. It forces me to slow down, be intentional, be curious, let go of perfection, and connect with others who are looking for deeper connection and friendship outside of our tech-heavy world.

Describe your letter writing set up. Do you have a favourite pen or paper? Where are you when you're writing?

My letter writing setup... Despite having a beautiful sit/stand desk with everything I could possibly need next to me, I tend to throw a zafu (yoga cushion) on the floor, and put my piano bench in front of me, and write there. Instead of going to the desk that has everything I need at the ready after I've finished writing my letter, I grab my lighter, wax, and seal, and take it to my dining room table to seal off my letters.
I always play Dark Academia Classical music when I write. It helps quiet my mind, and allow me to focus on what I'm doing. I tend to write with a fountain pen, and hope to one day use my calligraphy pens to write; but I'm still learning how to keep the ink flowing a bit longer. I tried purchasing some pretty paper to write on, and while I'm committed to using it, I do appreciate lined notepad paper. I feel like I have more space for my thoughts.

What made you sign up to our pen pal club and take a leap of faith by writing to a stranger?

Like a lot of people that I've met through London Letters, it happened across my "For You" page on Tik Tok one evening while I was sitting in the parking lot at the dance studio waiting for my daughter. Two things that were interesting about that were:
1) I had just signed up for Tik Tok, and had only put knitting as an interest (did I mention I'm an avid knitter? It's the best!), and
2) I had just been thinking (to myself, not out loud) earlier that day that I really wished pen pal clubs were a thing, because I'd love to meet people from other parts of the world, and make friends with others who were looking for more than just online connections. I'm still not 100% convinced that my phone can't read my thoughts...

When I got home, I signed up right away, and the journey began. I loved that safety was a major consideration, I loved that I had agency in who I connected with, and how I connected with them; and I loved that nothing felt rushed. I also absolutely love reading bios Monday to Friday, the way someone might read a newspaper. Morning coffee, and little introductions to all kinds of wonderful humans.

Do you believe letters still have a place in modern society?

I believe writing letters is a necessity in modern day society. Some of you may be aware that Canada Post went on strike in 2024 just before Christmas. People were up in arms about their Christmas' being ruined, and parcels not being delivered; but I was devastated that people wouldn't get their Christmas cards, or letters from loved ones. It may sound strange, but I think about the young men during the war, who would travel far and wide on horseback, through extreme danger to ensure letters were delivered because they were such a lifeline of communication and hope. While it's important to adapt with the times, I believe some acts are sacred, and extremely important to keep alive. Letter writing is one of those acts. As I mentioned before, letter writing is a legacy project. And just like people in the past who wrote letters and thought they only mattered in that moment for the person they had sent them to, we actually have no idea how that letter could impact someone, or the world in the future. They are small stories being carried forward.

What would you say to someone to encourage them to give letter writing a try?

If I were to encourage someone to write letters, I would probably talk about it the same way I do with my counselling clients:

It's an opportunity to create connections with others who are looking for more meaningful ways of connecting. It's a creative act, and does wonders for your right brain. Writing letters challenges you in an indirect way to go out and live life a little more fully so you have something to write about in your next letter. And lastly, receiving a letter, a real letter from another human who took the time to sit down and be vulnerable about themselves, share parts of their human journey with you, ask questions about you, and took the time to send it in the mail is one of the greatest feelings. Receiving letters is such a special feeling. It far outweighs receiving a parcel in the mail, and I think everyone should experience that feeling whenever possible. It just doesn't get old.

A huge thank you to our Rebecca for her time, and we hope you enjoyed getting to know her! Why not take that leap of faith and join our pen pal club too? We're always open to new members, and you can learn more about the club here.

Letter Writer of the Month - Rebecca

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