Decades back, friends, lovers and even messages were sent by snail mail. New friends took a much longer time to get to know each other due to the time taken for each mail to be received. At the time where no computers and iPads existed, paper and ink were the source of long-distance friendship. These, however, had its own sentimental value where a letter is handwritten. The eagerness and patience to receive a letter from someone was an experience and signified hope. But that was then.

As the earth revolves around the sun, mankind revolved around technology. Year by year, day by day, somewhere, someone in the world invented something new so-called to help mankind to make things easier for living. Computers were invented and as time passes by, the internet was created. People were excited with the new technology. Electronic mails or e-mails were introduced initially at a price but later became free until present. Messages were much easier and were transferred much faster to another person. Just with a click on the mouse, a person can now get access to the whole world. Letters sent via snail mail had started to decrease and now not many people even practice “pen-paling’.

Here we are in this 21st century with the advancement of high technology gadgets and devices where social media has become a trend using the power of the internet. Years back, Friendster was one of the top social medias used. Then came Facebook, an invention by a drop-out student from Harvard University, Mark Zuckerberg. Not long after that, LinkedIn and Twitter surfaced. Now, with these social medias, photos can be instantly uploaded or even shared to the world on your Facebook wall or Instagram or TwitPic. The whole world can know your location, what you are doing and even what’s in your bedroom. People can easily become friends or even business partners with anyone around the world. The best part is that you do not have to wait for weeks to get an answer to a question. However, this kills the suspense of a person to wait for an answer to a question.

As long as you have internet access either through your phone, tablets or laptop, anybody in the world can be your ‘virtual pen pal’. Basically, everyone is just going with the flow of technology especially the babies of this 21st century. Our parents or grandparents might have met each other through snail mail letter while some people nowadays meet their soul mate via a social media. Whatever it is, the internet does have its good and bad sides but still, the traditional way of having pen pals does have its unique value compared to those you meet online instantly.

As a conclusion, it could be said that the transition of pen pals to social media contacts have become a trend due to technology advancement and no one wants to be left behind. Still, one could say that the best things in life sometimes are best done the older ways. Best and true friendship sometimes only can be found when a handwritten letter is its own sentimental value.