Long before she was spotlighted for her humanitarian work and kind heart, Meghan Markle was helping others in any way she could, Inside Edition has learned.

Michelle Fanara went to high school with Markle and credits the Duchess of Sussex with helping her come into her own.

"I wanted to retreat into my own shell and Meghan was like, 'No, you can't do that,' and she kept pulling me out of my shell," she told Inside Edition in an exclusive interview that will air in full Wednesday.

The pair became pen pals after meeting during a class trip in the ‘90s. 

Fanara has cherished her correspondence with Markle ever since.

"It made me feel special," Fanara said. "She didn’t have to write me a letter, but she did."

For the first time, Fanara has shared the contents of the nearly 20-year-old note, to be exclusively revealed on Inside Edition. 

Tune in to Inside Edition to learn what Markle wrote and for more on Fanara’s take on the newly minted royal. Click here for local listings.

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