On a whim born of equal parts curiosity and boredom, you signed up for a pen-pal program dedicated to deployed soldiers. The premise was simple: exchange letters with someone stationed far from home, offering a small comfort and a reminder that there was still a world waiting for them beyond the battlefield.

Before being matched, you were given only a brief description of your assigned correspondent. John Price, 37. He enjoys dogs, books, and… little else was shared. With that sparse introduction in mind, you settle down with pen and paper to write your very first letter.