I received an email from Kiansh’s mother in early August. He was in my preschool class last year, and he misses me.
I wanted to share what Kiansh told me before going to bed a couple of days ago. I thought you would love to hear it. So, we just finished our book reading that night and exchanged goodnight kisses. I was ready to sleep and Kiansh started talking to me. He said, “Mumma, I miss Jennie.” I said, “I’m sure you do. What is it you miss about her? ” He said, “I love to play with her. I miss that.”
Mom’s email went on to say she wondered how she could make him feel better. Then she remembered my blog post photo reading a book to Gloria and Oscar. (Thank you Pete Springer) Kiansh wanted to see that photo, and it made him feel much better. He wanted to write me a letter.
Wait… write me a letter? I have a better idea. We can be pen-pals for the summer. Yes!
And so it began. I wrote Kiansh a pen-pal letter:
I also included this photo:
Kiansh was thrilled, and surprised that I had a pool. Of course he wrote back and enclosed this photo:
His letter did not say “Hello Jennie”. It said “Hello pen-pal.” My heart was full. He was checking the mail every day for my letter. His mom said she could not express his joy and happiness in words, so that’s why she sent the photo. He just wanted to say, “Tell Jennie, I love you”. Kiansh’s summer fun is vacationing in Hershey Park PA.
I couldn’t wait to write back! I did not say “Dear Kiansh.” I said “Dear pen-pal.”
I included photos of the many fish we have around the pool, and also a photo of Gloria at the pool. I think he will like that! Hubby spent many summers visiting Hershey Park when he was a boy growing up in Pennsylvania. That was another connection.
Connections.
Pen-pals are about connecting, discovering new things with each other, and most importantly building a friendship. I have pen-pals with two other preschools classes, But I Smile Anyway… and I didn’t have my glasses on….
I did not have student pen-pals, until now. I think this is the best thing since sliced bread.
Jennie
A Teacher's Reflections 
This is so cute!!
Thanks, Ritu! 💕
Awesome sauceum Jennie! I loved having a pen-pal when I was a kid in school.
Thanks so much, FR!
I love this, Jennie! Your spirit is contagious! 💛🥰 there’s nothing like having adorable pen pals.
Thanks for your kind words! 🥰
You’re so welcome! 🥰💛🤗
How wonderful!
Thank you, Annette!
You made a little boy very happy with a simple act of kindess. Brava!
His mother tells me the same thing. 🥰 Thank you, Liz!
You’re welcome, Jennie!
So cute 🥰!
Thanks!
what a wonderful way to keep those connections going!
Thanks, Jim. I feel the same way. 🙂
I think of LinkedIn the same way…
Ah ha!
👍
What a great way to start my Monday morning it was to read about your Pen-Pal Kiansh!
I have had only one Pen-Pal and it was when I was in my mid to late 30’s. We met while vacationing in Hawaii at lunch. She was a native Hawaiian. We just got to talking and that lunch turned into hours of talking. We wrote for a few years then life does it what does and we quit writing. It was great fun and interesting while it lasted though.
I’m glad this brought back memories of your Hawaiian pen-pal. Thanks so much for reading and commenting, Deborah. I’m sure he will write again, and so will I. 😀
Loved this post. Agree, pen pals are totally cool!! ❤️
Thanks so much!
Such a special relationship between teachers and their children. Whata gift to you both! 🙂
A gift of the heart for both of us. I hope it sticks with him for a long time.
I’m happy somebody still does this! I thought Pen-pals were a thing nobody does anymore.
Gold star to you Jennie!
Thanks so much, Wayne. It was a big thing in my class last year, too.
How wonderful, for you and for your pen pal.
Thank you, Darlene!
What a great connection to maintain with your student. You are creating lasting memories.
Thank you, Pam. I hope so!
Just delightful. I hope he continues to write until he is a grown man.
Best wishes, Pete.
Thank you, Pete. I do, too!
So very heart touching 💞
Thank you!
Lovely, Jennie.
Thank you, John. This has been very special.
Absolutely priceless Jennie is the love shared here. 💚😍
Thanks so much, Sue! 🥰
That is so sweet, Jennie. So very very sweet.
Pen Pals – what a great idea, Jennie.
you two are the sweetest pen pals ever! love it
So precious and beautiful. You impact the kids lives in such a special way. As o lovely you are pen pals. Lovely. Thank you for sharing this.
Another post filled with brilliance. Letting our students know we care about them is ALWAYS the right way to go. You have to know by now how much the kids enjoy watching their teacher having fun. Hence, jumping in at the pool is how we should all live. The payoff was you added to your unique connection and got that adorable photo of Kiansh in the process.
Thanks so much, Pete. May we always remember to live life with with enthusiasm, and pay attention to children. They need every moment of joy we can give them.
How utterly delightful. I can imagine your cheeks aching with smiling! I wonder what the best thing alternative was before you could buy sliced bread? Straight carrots? Toothpaste?
Thanks for your wit and humor, Geoff!
any day, Jennie
🙂
Awww. How fun, Jennie. You filled another child’s heart, and clearly he filled yours too. Hugs.
Yes, and yes! Thank you, Diana. 🥰
Aw Jennie, this is so sweet and heartwarming! You are such an approachable and kind teacher to your students and such a great support to their parents!! 🙂
That’s so nice, Jen. Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed this.
I cannot LOVE this enough!!!! The impact you make on your students is obvious. What an amazing story!!
Thank you!
Lovely, kudos to your positivity and playfulness and this great happy post 😊
Thank you!
Oh Jennie, you are just an amazing soul. I hope you are recovering well from your surgery.
That’s so nice to say, Robbie. Thank you. I am recovering well!
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Thank you!
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Thank you!
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This is so amazing and very heart touching. You need o have TikTok too, Jennie! 😉 xx Michael
Thanks so much, Michael!
:-))
This is the sweetest thing!
Thank you!