An Ode to Snail Mail

When I was little, I used to write a weekly newsletter to my grandma, updating her on school projects or proudly describing the move up to the higher lane in swim team.  And every Friday, I would find an envelope written in her beautiful script waiting on my desk.  She was a wonderful pen pal...I would read about the frigid Michigan winters, the batch of strawberry jam my grandpa had just finished making, or engage in a countdown to our next visit in person.

As the both of us aged, the letter writing began to dissipate, and eventually ended all together.  But I knew for certain that they were memories that I did not want to lose, so I went through all my desk drawers, cabinets, folders, every possible place I could think of discarding one of her letters.  I put them in the closest chronological order and made little comments about context, and put them into a scrapbook.  I couldn't wait to show her the finished product at Christmas, and when I did, she erupted in her signature squeal,  grabbed my cheeks in a death grip, and bombarded me with kisses.  Although I intended it to be her Christmas gift, she insisted that I hang on to it for later in life.  And I'm so glad she did, because now I can visit my grandma whenever I want by just flipping a page.

Ever since then, I have loved sending and receiving notes.  Even a small thank you note sends me over the moon, and I insist on keeping all the Christmas cards we receive each year.  I think now more than ever "snail mail" is extremely special and especially rare...since most people just send out an email blast or express gratitude via text.  But when you get a letter that someone has taken the time to sit down and write, and you know they have thought about what they want to say, it means so much more than some email.

I will forever be a thank you note sender, an issuer of traditional invitations, and an active pen pal...and for that reason, I will never cease increasing my collection of stationery.  I came across Mulberry and Moss last week, and can't wait to use up the notecards I currently have so I can place an order.  Since this is the case, I better start writing...please enjoy some of my favorites below

They even do hand lettering for invitations!  LOVE!