For me, the best way to show someone how much you love them
is easy—just say it! But if the right words seem out of reach at the moment,
the next best way is through old-fashioned love letters. Perhaps a letter can
be even more powerful because it is pen to paper. A love letter is something
you can hold onto even when the years tick by and that precious toddler turns
into a precocious teenager. And at those times, if scowls seem to be given out
more easily than hugs, we can turn to our love letters and remember.
My love letters for my little ones will be written on plain
white paper with a simple red pen. I will describe what I love about them at
this age, this time in their lives. I will record what they mean to me and why.
I may even start with “I love you because….”. I want to write down what they
love to do and who they are. Interests, friends, and favorite foods and games.
I will write it all down. Then with a few red heart stickers and maybe even a
kiss, I will seal it.
For my husband, I know he would prefer a text or a quick
email. But not for Valentine’s Day! No, he is getting the real thing too. I
will probably start it the same way, “I love you because….”. I will tell him
why I love him at this time, at this season in our relationship. And when we
are old and ‘gray’, I will have the words to remind me of how far we have
traveled together.
I’m not sure how my love letters will be received. But I
think teaching my girls the importance of telling people how you feel is part
of my job as a mom. And in our age of quick, flashy, fast technology, I want
them to know how special a real letter makes people feel. My husband isn’t one
for ‘mushy love’- but with life’s hectic schedule, I know this letter is long
over-due. Even husbands need to know they are loved!
My love letters will be passed along through a simple
‘mailbox’ I fashioned out of felt and hot glue last year. But anything can
work, a basket tied with a red ribbon or even an old shoebox covered in
paper.
And who knows, maybe, just maybe I will get lucky. Maybe my
loved ones will write me back.
Originally shared on SouthlakeMoms.com
Sharing my love letters here:
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Love your ideas. How is it you're so fabulous?? :) I LOVE that pic of you and your hubs...so pretty.
ReplyDeleteSamantha,
ReplyDeleteThis post is so amazing,
I love making holidays personal and meanigful. I am taking your advice and we are making valentines day boxes for each other to leave notes in .. but keep it year round to remind each other whenever we fell the other one needs a lift
What a great idea. Sometimes life gets so busy we overlook the main reason for things. We all could take a few moments to sit down {not behind an iPad, like me right now} and write things down with a pen! I'm sure your family will LOVE their letters.
ReplyDeleteThis post really is amazing! I think I'm going to use this idea. I don't have children or a husband yet, but I will do this one day when I do. For now I'll do this for my family. I think everyone that's loved deserves this kind of letter! Holidays and birthdays especially. People should feel special on special days and I'm realizing that making people feel special is slowly dying out. We need to remind people how much we care and love them!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful post. You are making the holiday meaningful for your loved ones. So sweet.
ReplyDeleteThank you- we are all doing 'handmade' this year. My kindergartner managed to make 22 personalized, original Valentines for her classmates. Nothing like construction paper, doilies, and stickers ;)
ReplyDelete