Good morning, Chattanooga. Considering this year has been a wash for social outings and making new friends, we’ve decided to launch a special project to help you feel a little more connected.

We’ve heard a lot about how 2020 has encouraged people to get back to the basics — bread baking, at-home exercise, calling people on the phone… And in the spirit of that, we’re inviting you to join #6AMPenPals. Bonus: social distancing protocols are already built-in.

Here’s how it works: Click the button below to fill out our form by Wednesday, August 5 (if you’ve already signed up, you don’t have to do it again). We’ll need your name and email address. In mid- to late August, you’ll receive an email matching you with a randomly-selected pen pal in one of our six sister cities — Asheville, NC; Raleigh, NC; Greenville, SC; Columbia, SC; Charleston, SC; or Lakeland, FL.

The rest is up to you. It’s our hope that you’ll reach out to your pen pal and begin sharing thoughts and experiences about what’s happening in your respective cities, comparing notes, opening dialogue + building a unique friendship. Then, on September 1 — World Letter Writing Day — we encourage you to send a letter to your pen pal (yes, a letter) using the good ole USPS. Be sure to share on social + tag us #NOOGAtoday #6AMPenPals to commemorate the day.