I’ve always had a slight obsession with snail mail. My favorite part? Writing the addresses on the envelopes. I hate licking that sticky part on the back, but luckily they make a product to take care of that. It took me awhile to figure out why I loved preparing the mail and it finally hit me: my third grade teacher. Mrs. Harrell started a post office within our school where we could mail letters to each other. Naturally, I was picked as a student helper to start this post office. It all makes sense now…
How many emails do you get a day? I get emails every day, all day. They are rarely special. Mainly there are reminders that I need to pay a bill or the bombardment of sales for each and every store in the mall. Of course, I am lucky enough to receive the pleasant emails that I have sold an Etsy order or that someone has posted a comment to my blog. With our present fast-moving society, having the immediate ability to send email is obviously necessary.
How much snail mail do you get a day? My snail mail counts seem to be much lower than that of my email and although some of those pesky bills and unnecessary coupons show up, I am always excited to see an envelope with my name hand written across the front. Sometimes you are expecting an invitation, mainly because so-and-so just asked you for your address three days ago. Sometimes you are completely caught off guard with what lies inside this envelope. Do you open it immediately, standing at the mailbox? Or do you stuff it into the pile with the other mail and take it inside to open? Wherever you may choose to open your envelope, you know that there is a very good chance something positive will be in the contents. (Because we all know the bill companies aren’t handwriting envelopes!) You have just received an invitation, announcement, thank you note, celebratory card, or personalized hello! Someone has taken the time to invite you or thank you by sending you a piece of snail mail.
Often, what you have just opened represents a special moment or milestone in someone’s life. Because they chose to send a tangible memory, rather than an electronic message, you are able to hang it on the universal home bulletin board, the refrigerator. If you are like me, that piece of paper might stay on the fridge for months and will be seen by visitors. Formal events should begin by sending a formal invitation. Special moments should be broadcasted with a special announcement. And don’t ever underestimate the power of sending a hand-written thank you note for a gift or interview.
We have the ability to send information at the swipe of a finger, but I believe the joy of receiving something in the mail cannot be replaced.
“I love the rebelliousness of snail mail, and I love anything that can arrive with a postage stamp. There’s something about that person’s breath and hands on the letter.” –Diane Lane
