The Importance of a Letter

I am a big fan of writing letters. Perhaps it is because I like to write or, because I love any excuse to buy pretty stationery. Bottom line is that I love letters. I love writing them, receiving them, talking about them, saving them and going back to read them.

Growing up my dad would write me notes. These were small scraps of paper with special messages.  He’d tape these to the mirror in my bathroom or on my bedroom door. Somehow he always knew when I needed one of those notes the most.

I think writing letters (or even notes) is one thing I do each week to be more present. I try to write something at least once a week. A note in my girls’ lunch boxes, hiding a letter in my husband’s lunch, sending a note to an old friend and sending letters to people who I don’t even know to thank them or show my appreciation for something they’ve done.  Yes, I write letters to complete strangers because they moved me in some way. I just really like to write letters!

I think my habit has even reached my kids. They love to write notes or make cards, especially my oldest daughter.  She loves it so much that she even wrote a note to a dog that we were watching overnight for a friend this weekend. This expression of love and gratitude is so important and I’m thankful that they are growing to love it as much as I do.

So I say again, try it. Letters don’t have to be long, they don’t have to be grammatically correct or written in the best handwriting (you can write them by email if you need to!). They just have to be from the heart. Letters give us the opportunity to give a moment to someone else. Perhaps they are struggling with something and your letter has perfect timing or, your significant other just needed that small, yet powerful reminder of your love for them.

Write a letter…I promise, it will feel good.

For fun, here are a few of my favorite letters…

Even dogs deserve a letter…

She loves me with all of her sole… 🙂