The next day I mailed my first letter to the address my mom had given me for Kevin's family. She also sent a letter to Kevin's mom to catch up with her and see how she was doing. It was kind of exciting.

A week later my mom forwarded me the email she had received from Kevin's mom:

Emma annyeonghaseyo,

It was nice to hear from you. Our family has been well too and is staying busy. Kevin is a singer in the group U-Kiss, and I saw that Hana had written him a letter -I maied it to him for her.

Kenkanghi cinayseyyo

A couple of days later in the U-Kiss dorms:

"Hey Kevin! It looks like your mom sent you something" said Eli holding a small package as he sorted through the pile of mail on the floor.

"Sweet! I hope she sent me some cookies"

Quickly I opened the small package she sent and it contained some cookies along with a note and an envelope.

Kevin, your friend Hana from when we lived in California sent you a letter, so I forwarded it here for you. I hope you enjoy the cookies and don’t forget to ja-da early. Salang haneun -Eomeoni

I put down the note and scooped up the box while heading to my room. This way I could enjoy my cookies in peace while reading the letter from Hana.  ‘How many years has it been since I’ve heard from her? 3 or 4 years now? I guess this will give me a chance to find out how she is and what she’s up to.’ I thought to myself as I carefully slit open the envelope covered in wide array of postage stamps.

August 18, 2009

Dear Kevin,

I don't know if you remember me, but I'm Hana Lee your friend from grade school in California. You’re probably wondering why I'm writing you this letter, but I don't really know. I guess I just wanted to catch up after not hearing from you for so long. How have you been? How's your family? What have you been up to? Are you attending college in Korea or the states? I heard you had moved to Korea a few years ago. I'd love it if we could be pen pals again like in the past, and if you want to let me know when you write back.

Me and my friend Mary Davis, I think I told you about her when we still wrote each other, are attending New York State University. I'm going for a degree in teaching and she's going for an Art Degree. My dad really wanted me to go to medical school too, but I really want to teach children. If I get bored with that maybe I'll go back to medical school. By the time you get this we should be on our way or at our dorms un-packing and settling in for our first semester. It's really exciting and a bit scary at the same time because although we'll meet lots of new people, it will be strange being so far from home. I think I'm getting homesick just writing about going to college.

My older sister Jae just finished her degree in Internal medicine and has started a job at a hospital in ia near our home. She just got engaged to her boyfriend Robert this spring, so we're all helping her plan her wedding this coming July. She picked out the colors teal, black, and white for her wedding and I love the dress she picked out for us bridesmaids. I'm really excited for her, but I'll miss not seeing her as much as I used to. Sorry, I kind of went off on a 'girl' tangent there.

My mom works at a bakery and catering company part time, and she still is always making yummy stuff at home on her off days. That's one thing I'll really miss being away at college. My dad is working as a medical researcher for the University of ia specializing in pediatrics in the cardiovascular department. I love visiting and playing with the kids he's treating.

Well I guess I need to go. Mary's parents are probably waiting for me by now to pack up my stuff into their car. I hope you are well and I hope to hear from you soon.

Sincerely,

-Hana

‘So Hana is going to be a teacher’ he mused. ‘I remember her being good at bossing people around as a kid, so she should be able to handle a bunch of kids. I’ll have to write her back. She didn’t mention having a boyfriend at all – I assumed she would have one by now.’ He smiled thinking about writing her back and all the things he would ask, as Eli came in interrupting my thoughts.

“Cookies! Can I have one?” he said as he eyed the box open on my bed.

“Go ahead, I can’t and shouldn’t eat them all anyways.”

“Thanks Kev! What are you smiling about?” he asked as he grabbed a handful of cookies.

“I got a letter from an old friend from the states and I was thinking about what to write back to her.”

“Ah…..Her?! Spill the beans Kev or I’ll take ALL of your cookies.” he said and then I explained to him about how Hana had been my grade school friend, had moved away, and had lost touch until now. ‘I’ll have to write her back real soon indeed’ he thought smiling.