You’ve Got Mail

Dear Followers,

This is my letter to you about the lost art of letter writing. All my life, my grandparents have sent me cards for the holidays and my family has always sent out Christmas cards. As a young child, my mother made me write thank you notes for birthdays, Christmas, etc. and she always impressed upon me how important it was to express my appreciation and feelings with a hand written note. Unfortunately, with the boom of technology and social media, many people do not take part in this past time anymore. I’m hoping throughout this letter I can persuade you to take action and put the pen to the paper!

This past summer one of my dear friends sent me a note and informed me that she had written every single one of my sorority sisters over the summer months while we were away from school. I cannot tell you how much I appreciated this surprise in the mail. It made me realize how less personable a text message is and how happy I was when I got to read her letter. It prompted me to write her back and inquire about her summer internship and experiences in a new city. This correspondence can really make a person feel good when he/she knows someone else has taken the time to do such a kind gesture for them.

A day later, there I was at T.J. Maxx staring at a wall of stationery deciding what to purchase. There were so many wonderful choices! Stores carry an array of unique stationery, but less people send mail than they have in past decades. Therefore, I challenge you to stop what you are doing right now and make a friend or relative very happy by carving out a few minutes of your day to tell this person how much they mean to you. I promise that a handwritten note will mean so much more than a text or email especially if they are of the older generation.

Now, I know what you are thinking… stamps cost money, and yes, the price went up to $0.49 compared to $0.47 in 2016. Individually sending a letter is not too bad, but when you want to write repeatedly, this can add up. Not to mention, if you are traveling abroad and want to send international mail, then this can get quite expensive. Well, ladies and gentleman, I have a solution for you! If you are planning a long adventure and wish to write traditional letters to your friends, but are on a budget, then write your notes before you leave on your trip and hand deliver them! I am departing in six days so I preplanned my letters. I wrote my significant other about 25 letters to read over the next five months while I will be over seas just in case he doesn’t check his mailbox at school. I also wrote every girl in my pledge class a note and hand delivered them on their desks the day I left campus for the last time. I am not sure how much spare money I will have once I begin traveling. This is one example of how you can be personable on a budget.

Sending hand written notes and mail are great ways to keep in touch with friends and learn more about someone. Sending letters gives us the gift of time and allows us to build stronger relationships with our loved ones! So what are you waiting for? Grab a paper and pen and get started! It is better to write less, and more often, than not at all.

Happy Writing,

Scarlett

P.S. “To send a letter is a good way to go somewhere without moving anything but your heart” ~Phyllis Theroux