Justin Timberlake may have brought "Sexy Back" but I would like to bring the old fashioned, handwritten letter back. That's right. Get out your stamps and put your walking shoes on in anticipation of taking a casual stroll to the medium size bold blue box.
These days everything is sent virtually, meaning through a text message or an email. Heck, we don't even pick up the phone anymore to make a phone call and, get this, actually have a conversation. Okay, okay, I get it, the world is busy and you may not have time for the hour long convo but if you're going to write something out via keyboard wouldn't it be nice to have it written out with a pen on a piece of paper?
Years ago, while I was growing up I can say I had the honor of receiving many, many handwritten letters from my friends at school. We would write them up, fold them in a precise way so the one corner would tuck into the other side ever so smoothly. Nothing made me more excited then to open my locker and have a small, tangible message for me. It was my generation's way of "gossiping". There was no such thing as text messages throughout the day. If you wanted to socially interact with your friend(s) (or that guy you were crushing on) you would have to wait until fifth period or whenever you made your way to the other side of the building to open your locker up again.
Fast forward to the present day. After a long day at work I stumble home to find my mail box filled with bills (my favorite! Yes, that was sarcasm) and loads of junk mail. But when I receive an envelope that is presumably handwritten, I immediately set aside every other "letter" and proceed to sit on my couch without even kicking off my shoes. My face beams to think that someone took the time to write out a card that may say something as simple as "thank you" or "I hope this card makes you smile". Some of the best cards I receive are from my one and a half year old niece. Of course her mom does the thoughtful task of picking it out and signing " Love, Ella" but it just makes me so happy. Now, I'm not implying to write a letter for every little message that pops into your brain. Who has time for that?! I am simply saying that maybe when we haven't talked to someone in awhile and want to reach out or know of someone who is going through a difficult period in their life a tangible hello opposed to a text is a gentle upgrade.
Handwritten letters and cards show that you took the time to care. It's sweet, kind and nice. And in the world we currently live in, where life is so complicated, those three words are the best. If you can make someone's day, do it.
I am almost positive the person at the receiving end will greatly appreciate it. If they are anything like myself they will store it in a shoebox to show the generations ahead.
