2/8/12

Love Letters

With Valentine’s right around the corner, love is on my mind. These days that four-letter word conjures up images of sloppy, sticky kisses from my two-year old and carefully written, but adorably misspelled, love letters from my Kindergartner. I think of my husband, our Rock, laughing with my girls as they put on silly shows in the living room after dinner. I feel like my heart is overflowing with joy. And as commercialized as Valentine’s can be, I also know that it is a day that can be meaningful too. February 14th can be more than just candy and cards, it can be a day to remember and cherish all those who fill our hearts.


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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-Home Stories A to Z 
-Tatertots and Jello
-The 36th Avenue
-Whipperberry
-Serenity Now
-Today's Creative Blog 

6 comments:

  1. Love your ideas. How is it you're so fabulous?? :) I LOVE that pic of you and your hubs...so pretty.

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  2. Samantha,
    This 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

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  3. 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.

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  4. This 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!

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  5. Beautiful post. You are making the holiday meaningful for your loved ones. So sweet.

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  6. Thank 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 ;)

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Thank you so much for taking the time to leave a comment! I love to hear from you and will do my best to answer questions and comments by 'replying via email'.
:) Samantha

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