For Lubbock attorney Kristen Vander-Plas, becoming pen pals with Barbara Bush started with letters for her birthdays, but the relationship developed into much more over the years.

Vander-Plas was just 12 when she volunteered, as part of a home-schooling civics lesson, for George W. Bush's presidential election campaign in 2000. Soon after, she began penning birthday well wishes to the first lady and former President George H.W. Bush.

“To my surprise, they started writing back,” said Vander-Plas, an attorney at the Brad J. Davidson Law Firm in Lubbock, who practices civil litigation and appeals and business law.

We spoke with Vander-Plas about her relationship with Barbara Bush, who died Tuesday at her home in Houston at age 92. Here are Vander-Plas' answers, edited for clarity and brevity.

When and why did you first become pen pals with Barbara Bush?

Kristen Vander-Plas: The first few years it was mostly based around their birthdays. I would start with, “I know it's close to your birthday,” and like kids write, I would tell her everything going on in my life, whether it was, “I got a puppy,” or whatever. The first few years, the response was a quick letter back saying, “It was nice hearing from you,” and “glad you had a good year,” and “keep staying involved in your community.”

How did the responses from the former president and first lady change over time?

Vander-Plas: It started turning into “I just was accepted into college.” They would write back, “Congratulations, we know you will do great.” Then it was, “I got accepted to law school”—the same thing they would write back. Then I went to work with Texas Supreme Court Justice Don Willett, and they somehow heard about it, and I got unsolicited letters from them. They would remember stuff I told them, last time I wrote them, and they would ask about it. Over the last few years they confided that, generally, people don't write to former presidents and first ladies that much anymore. As the years went on and years passed, maybe that's why it got in front of them.

How was Mrs. Bush encouraging to you, as a young woman?

Vander-Plas: She was very firm about what she wanted women to be in the world. She just wanted you to be strong and have a voice. Even before I decided to go to law school, it was very much: make sure you do things for your community. Make sure you are volunteering. Make sure you are out there helping people. After I got in law school, it was: You have a chance now to really impact people's lives. Make sure you do that. Make sure you take this gift and help other people, and be an example to other women, in particular.

How did she encourage you in law school?

Vander-Plas: There were obviously sometimes when things were rough, and she was just always so confident in telling me I was going to be great and she believed in me. When you would get something like that, it was sometimes that third party didn't need to do anything, yet still was taking time to say, “Hey, you are doing a good job. We are proud of you.” That, in and of itself, was meaning more than people—like family—who have to say you do a good job. It was sometimes the bump you needed, if I went to the mailbox and found a letter from one of them.

How are you feeling about her passing?

I'm very sad. The hardest part is hearing how poorly she was doing Sunday, and her passing 48 hours later. I was starting to prepare myself, but didn't realize how imminent it was—it was a shock. I've also seen and heard how peaceful it was and ready she was to go. I know she was a woman of faith—I am as well. Knowing it was a real time of peace, and she's not in pain or sick anymore—it's comforting to me.