Of all the things this meeting could have been, "an email" is the least interesting possibility.

We can do better.

This meeting could have been moment of unexpected kindness.
This meeting could have been an escape from the cold shackles of the ideologies that have held us apart for too long.
This meeting could have been the faint scent of cherry blossoms, unknowingly carrying the weight of memory with them on the gently wafting breeze.
This meeting could have been the rest of the owl.
@mhoye This meeting could have been the change you want to see in the world.