The Selectric II is such a joy to type on. Unlike Hanks, I use corrective tape, though. He mashes 'x' through any typos.
I forgot how nice it is to get mail that isn't a bill or an ad.
Now she writes to her friends all over the world. And since it's paper mail that takes between three days and two weeks to arrive, there's no posturing. No boasting. No one-upsmanship. It's people really writing about things that are actually important to them because it takes effort.
Letter writing / penpal'ing is really magical -- specifically for the reasons you noted. Even with friends I speak with (digitally or in person) on a regular basis have plenty to talk about in a letter.
I hadn't purchased a stamp for years. Its remarkable that sending a letter domestically can be done for around a dollar.