June the 1st is Pen Pal Day. I'm sure most of us have had a pen pal at one time in our lives. Many of us still have one. Today is the day to say thank you to your pen pals. It is also the day to thank your key pals too. Nowadays, most people communicate via e-mail, chat or text messaging. We type using keys, rather than write with pens. Using the latest technology, we can also have webcam pals. Times have changed since the original idea of a pen pal. Many language students have pen pals because it's a great way to practice writing in another language. There are many websites people can visit to find a pen pal. If you would like a pen pal, perhaps this is the day to start looking and make a new friend.

Being pen pals can lead to lifelong friendships. Some pen pals arrange to meet face to face and others even get married. It is a natural part of who we are to want to communicate with other people and share our hobbies, interests and facts about our life. Many of us are pen pals without even knowing it. Perhaps we all strike up a friendship with someone online and then keep in contact. It might be that the Internet will change the idea of a pen pal forever. The traditional mailing of a letter written on paper and then mailed in an envelope may soon disappear. Many traditionalists say it is more exciting to receive a real letter through the post. Before the Internet, opening and reading a letter from a pen pal was special.