I unintentionally stumbled upon a penpal when I was about 14. I was only looking for some advice on my studies at that point and didn't realise that I was chatting to someone with whom I would embark on such an enduring journey. We went on to keep that correspondence up for another 15 years. Despite our differences and despite so little effort or pressure from either of us, the relationship evolved with such strange beauty, depth and steadiness that it makes me wonder if that is all we really need to truly open up: The security that we never have to meet outside our letters!