Liam and Harper have been pen pals ever since fourth grade, when everyone had to write letters with someone out of state. Most kids stopped immediately after that school year, but Liam and Harper formed a special bond. Who would have known just a few poorly written letters could lead to such a strong connection?
Liam is from Colorado, but moved to Michigan after the 8th grade. Harper had always lived in a little town in Virginia. Even though the two have never met, they know more about each other than any of their friends. Occasionally they send each other pictures of the things going on in their life along with the letters. Ever since they started writing the letters they made a pact to not communicate through social media at all because they want to keep it fun and old fashioned.
Now, as they are both nearing graduation Liam made the suggestion that they meet up in person in summer before they both go to college. He suggested meeting in Columbus, Ohio. His grandparents have a house there and its nearly halfway between the two. Harper said yes and that she would love to, but she was really not too sure how she really felt about it. There were so many questions running through her mind. She wondered how Liam’s grandparents would feel letting a total stranger into the house, if it would be awkward when the two first meet, if Liam really is as cute as he looked in the pictures. Liam, on the other hand had no doubt that it would be a great time getting to meet his best friend.
Liam’s graduation is on the 20th, two days after Harper’s. They plan to meet on the 26th. They are both full of excitement and anxiety, knowing that the other is on their way at the same time. Harper made sure to leave a little later because she most definitely didn’t want to get to the house before Liam. On the way, she thought about him. She was thinking of how badly she wanted to know what he was going to do now that he’s graduated. They never seemed to talk of their futures outside of high school because it made them wonder if they would drift. She could never bring herself to ask him, though she always thought he would make a wonderful writer. Over the years his letters became like poetry to her. After seventh grade, she started saving the letters to be able to look back at. Sometimes she reads them over and over, wishing to hear Liam read them himself
Pulling in the addressed driveway, Harper automatically knew it was the right one. Liam had said his grandparents were eccentric, so the bright yellow house did not surprise her at all. The front door opened right as her car stopped and out stepped the most gorgeous man Harper has ever seen. She quickly jumped out of the car and they both started running towards each other for a hug, just like they were in a cheesy rom-com. The second their arms wrapped around each other, everything clicked. they knew that what was keeping them going all these years wasn’t a close friendship, it was love.
Liam and Harper spent the whole summer together, going from his grandparents’ house, to Liam’s house, and lastly to Harper’s. Over the late summer nights they spent their time talking of their future, and how they planned to stay together. Liam was going to Michigan state to become a journalist and Harper was going to Julliard in New York to pursue her love of dance. It won’t be easy, but they’ve gone eight years of long distance already, what’s a few more?