A few years ago a dear friend of mine had to go away. I have seen him once since then but... it's not always so simple. You know that things are different now and you're both going to have to go on living your lives separately now. No matter how much we deny it, sometimes friendship just isn't feasible.

But that doesn't mean memories don't fade and it doesn't mean lives have to be separated completely. If anything, it's those memories that tie people together in a way that can't be broken or erased. And it doesn't mean they are out of your life, if anything I draw strength and comfort in the idea that even though we aren't together. Somewhere across the planet, my dear friend is there living his life just as I am here living my life. And sometimes I simply draw strength from the memories... I hope he doesn't mind me sharing them.

This is a letter I wrote:

Dear friend,

I know that you are a writer. It has been argued by many that you are a brilliant writer. I know that you occasionally take it upon yourself to jot down or record a small snippet of your life or another's to explore the beauty of it, whether it be a joyful or sorrowful beauty. I know that when you write, you express but you also understand. You begin to see things that others might now, feel things that might otherwise be unfelt. And you empathize where others never thought anyone could.

Friend, when I first met you, I mean REALLY met you. I could feel a warmth rolling off of your, and I don't mean your excessive body heat... although I later came to be acquainted with that as well. I felt a soulful warmth that touches the spirit.
I understood a softness that didn't come from all the ice cream we were eating at the creamery or from the time I watched you turn red as the couch I was sitting on from just two beers. It was a softness in love and acceptance and mirth and consideration.
But I also saw strength that didn't come from the crazy workouts in the gym or from watching you having to be tackled by four grown men in football. It was strength in courage. strength in faith, strength in love, joy, kindness, and artistry.
I saw all this and I began to see meaning in each of those letters you had decorated yourself in silver sharpie onto those black pieces of construction paper. An unexpected welcome to these clueless freshmen.

I'm not sure if you remember enough of all of this to understand where this is coming from but I just wanted to let you know that I miss you and I think about you a lot even though you're so far away. I know the next time I see you might not be for a while and those times may become even more scarce overtime. But I would like to believe that all love creates ties, and I believe there is an invisible tie running from you, through the earth all the way over to each one of us over here. I find comfort in the thought that through the trials of life and through the differences in location, time, and culture. We still have each other, kindred spirits on different halves of the world.

x Mia


This and the following correspondence occurred when we both happened to be in one of the darker hours of our life. And while I cannot speak for him, it brought light into an otherwise grey and cloudy time in my life.

Which brings me to the Love Letter Project.


The Love Letter Project is a collection of letters "written to help others overcome life's greatest challenges" Readers can read or submit letters on various subjects in solidarity of others who might feel completely alone.

Now although this is a wonderful cause. I'm not saying you all need to go write a letter and post it on this site. I , myself, find it difficult to share my current struggles at this present moment. However, in this age of fast texting and messaging. It's hard to find a message that goes on for more that a few sentences. I would like to challenge you to write a letter. It doesn't need to be handwritten or wax-sealed. Just a well considered message filled with love.