The Letter-Writing Column
How to Write a Love Letter That Sounds Like You
Forget the greeting-card phrases. A good love letter is specific, honest and a little brave — and anyone can write one.
Advice, history and etiquette
The Letter-Writing Column
Practical, original guides for people who would rather write than swipe — how to write a good letter, how letter-based courtship works, and how to stay safe while doing it.
The Letter-Writing Column
Pen Pal Dating for Adults: A Practical Guide
Getting to know someone by letter before you meet is an old idea with a lot to recommend it. Here is how to do it well.
The Letter-Writing Column
Slow Dating: What It Is and How to Practice It
Fewer matches, longer conversations, more patience. A case for taking your time — and a practical way to do it.
The Letter-Writing Column
Letter-Writing Etiquette: A Modern Guide to Old Manners
Good manners on paper are mostly about consideration. Here are the conventions worth keeping and the ones you can safely relax.
From the Archive Desk
How Old Newspaper Personal Ads Worked
Before profiles and swipes, strangers met through a few lines of small type and a box number. Here is how the system worked.
The Safety Desk
Safe Ways to Meet Someone Through Letters
Letters are a lovely way to get to know someone. A few sensible habits keep that pleasure from turning into a problem.
The Letter-Writing Column
Love Really Is Blind: What the Lonely Hearts Column Knew First
From the newspaper personals to Netflix's pods, some of the most interesting romances begin with words, not looks. A short case for dating without focusing on the physical.