Unexpected Mail

I have always been up for a pen pal. My cousin Jennifer only lived about twenty minutes away, but when we were kids we wrote tons of letters back and forth, complete with secret code names for each other. 

When I was 12 or so, I met a girl my age on vacation and we hung out at the pool every day. Before we parted ways we exchanged addresses and wrote to each other for years. (Coincidentally, her sister ended up going to the same college as me and we had a class together!)

I have saved all of these letters. Actually, I save almost every letter and card that I get. I just feel like if someone took the time to sit down and write a message to me, it's special and I can't just toss it away. 

However, as you get older the mail becomes lamer and more mundane. Besides Christmas and my birthday, there are few days that I receive letters in the mail, which is why when one does appear, it is such a delight!

Today as I was reaching into the mailbox and pulling out that day's delivery--an ad and a tax document--I felt a small envelope in the bottom. I was surprised and delighted to see a dear friend's return address in the left hand corner when I pulled it out. 

Texting helps us stay in contact more quickly and frequently, but there is something special about holding a letter in your hand, knowing that the sender also held it in theirs and thought about you as they were writing it, just as you think of them when you read it. Even though this friend does not live near me anymore, I felt close to her while reading her note.

When in doubt, always write the letter! The delight it will bring is almost beyond measure!