My 21st Century Pen Pal

Connections between human beings can happen in magical and unexpected ways.

Most often, people connect face-to-face, but it doesn't always happen that way. When I was a kid in the 20th century, everyone had a pen pal some point. It was a person who went to a different school, or lived in a different city, that you never met in person. You learned about each other through letters, and sharing your experiences going through your lives. In spite of your physical separation, you found out how much you were alike, and learned about the world outside your own from the things you experienced differently. Sometimes you exchanged photos, but the words, and most importantly ideas, you exchanged were the critical piece that developed the relationship.

Fast forward to the 21st century. When you really think about it, technology allows people to meet and connect in a very similar way to the pen pal concept, but at lightning speed. Through social networking sites, blogs, and even e-mail, like minded people separated by incredible physical distances can share thoughts and ideas, and build actual relationships. Since I've gotten more active in the on-line community, I've been blessed to build some very special relationships. This post is the story of one of them.

Erika Zimmerman is my 21st century version of a pen pal. We met via Twitter while sharing our mutual passion for hockey, and that conversation quickly became the start of a friendship I cherish in spite of the fact that we've never met. Erika is a student at the University of Pittsburgh and a rabid Pittsburgh Penguins fan, but the Kings are her West Coast team. In particular, she loves Anze Kopitar and Wayne Simmonds. She is a madly creative writer and blogger, and she has the same in-your-face, totally honest and authentic kind of personality I have myself.

Every year, the LA Team Store at Staples Center has a clearance sale of all the prior season merchandise. Since I'm committed to making sure ALL my Kings fans buddies are properly outfitted, I sent Erika a note asking if there was anything she'd like me to pick up for her. She wanted a t-shirt with Kopitar on the back, which I found at the sale and sent off to her. Dedicated pen pal that she is, I got a lovely thank you note in response that made my day.

So this season, when Kopi and Simmer were both made into Bobble heads, I managed to snag a couple and send them to Erika for her collection. That prompted a causal conversation about whether I had a favorite Penguin, which I confirmed I do. Then a week or so ago, I got a note from her advising I would be receiving a package. And right on schedule, it arrived today!



I was stunned by her generous gift. I've gotten her a couple of Bobble heads and some t-shirts, and she cared enough to send me this.



Could it really be?



Yes, it is. An AUTHENTIC Sidney Crosby jersey, with the tie down in the back and everything. Oh....my....GOD!

And if that wasn't enough, she got me this INCREDIBLY AWESOME University of Pittsburgh t-shirt. GREAT COLOR!



So from one writer to another, this is just the start of my thanks to Erika - for our conversations, her generosity, and ultimately her incredible long-distance friendship. I'm working on getting her out here to LA for a game so I can thank her properly, but if that never happens, we'll still always be connected.

And I will cherish that connection...always.