Let’s talk about the lost art of writing letters. Doesn’t it feel like “the good old days” when you consider sitting down to read an age-old, beautifully penned letter? There is something special about the process of hand-writing a letter as a way to pause in the midst of this digital age.
With COVID and other things (life!) going on in our family, I found myself without any plans for my husband’s birthday a few months ago. After a drawn out thought process over what I could do to celebrate him, I decided to do something for him which used to make him happy, but I don’t do anymore. I would write him a letter.
Several years back before we moved to the United States, we both graduated from a college where men and women are not allowed to intermingle; meaning there is no meeting or talking with each other within the university limits – which I realize might sound very ridiculous and “old school.”
Such as it was, when my husband and I did happen to meet, we decided to get to know one another and become friends in secret. Thus, we had to bypass the Internet as the university server was always monitored. Meaning, all forms of electronic correspondence were out. So like many star-crossed lovers before us, we chose to write each other letters. (Granted this method of getting to know one another came with its own difficulties with the constant struggle to pass our letters back and forth. But that is a whole other story for another day!)
Yet, despite all the risks – the least of which being expelled from college – we truly enjoyed exchanging handwritten notes with each other as our relationship grew and deepened.
Letter writing is something I cherished even as a kid. My early school days did not include the Internet or computers. Pen and paper were our source of communication. We would write letters and greeting cards to our families, who lived far away. We would also eagerly watch for the mail to arrive, especially during the festivals, as we awaited loving handwritten letters and notes from loved ones.
During my school days, I developed the habit of staying in touch with my friends who moved out of the school or relocated to another city. We would write each other letters and send greeting cards. Then as days passed, emails and e-cards took over. Looking back today though, the handwritten cards, notes and letters still live close to my heart and bring back cherished memories.
There are no rules when it comes to letter writing, all you need to do is find a cozy corner, take a breath and pour your heart out (or not!). But just write something! I’ve found the process not only preserves lovely memories, but it brings both the sender and the receiver closer.
So tell me, when was the last time you took the time to write a letter? Whether a short note or a lengthy tome. I like to think of my letters as a capsule from the past able to hold some of my loveliest memories.
A text or an email can make your loved one’s day, but a handwritten letter is a time honored way to show extra care for the people you love. Holding space for years, and sometimes generations, to come.
