Hey kids, writing letters is fun!

Letter writing is the only device for combining solitude with good company - Lord Byron

I have fond childhood memories of retrieving mail from the mailbox. Whenever my birthday neared, I eagerly anticipated receiving birthday cards from loved ones. I vividly remember the joy I felt when I opened the mailbox and discovered an envelope adorned with my name.

Even before I knew I was receiving mail, my mother saved the cards and letters I received as a baby and toddler and preserved them in a memory box. Birthday cards, “Happy First Halloween” cards, Christmas cards, and more were kept there. Flipping through that old mail as an adult always made me smile.

📬Connection through letters

Snail mail is a way to show someone love from afar. One of my dearest friends has sent me postcards from all over the world—from the Maldives, Vietnam, and Italy to name a few. It is comforting to know that even while a loved one is halfway around the world, they are thinking of you.

Recently, another friend of mine started exchanging little handwritten notes via mail. There is only a 30-minute drive between us, but even so, having a pen pal is fun! Receiving a single handwritten letter or card amidst a sea of bills, and junk mail is like spotting a rainbow in a cloudy sky. It’s like receiving a hug wrapped in an envelope.

I’ve had a lot of fun designing the letters and cards I have sent. I’ve used washi tapes, and stickers, and drawn on fun designs. For me, sending a card or letter, is a way to remind my friends and family that they are loved.

📜Embrace boring

The letters I received didn’t need to share grand tales to bring me joy. When you send a letter, feel free to write about whatever comes to mind, no matter how ordinary. Share what you had for lunch, something funny you observed during your day, or something that caught your eye during a walk. I firmly believe that it is the little moments in life that can be the most meaningful.

📮Snail mail Inspiration

Things that can be sent via mail:

1. Poems

2. Tea bags

3. Pressed flowers

4. Recipes

5. Art

6. Origami

7. Interesting coins

8. Music playlists/ list of songs

9. Iron on patches

10. Stickers

I recently discovered a project called Postcrossing. The concept behind this initiative is to send and receive real mail from people all over the world, known as "postcrossers." For every postcard you send, you will receive one back from a random postcrosser somewhere in the world. If I decide to participate, I will provide an update on my experience! Here is a link to Postcrossing.

💌 I challenge anyone reading this to send a card, letter, or postcard to a friend or loved one. I bet it will bring a smile to their face! You might even spark a delightful exchange of messages back and forth.