What To Do with Old Love Letters: A Valentine’s Post

Yesterday, I searched the entire house for my usual Valentine’s decorations. I couldn’t find them anywhere, so I decided to string up some old cards from family and friends. These cards were sent through the mail to me by people who, at one point, were in my life and wanted to say hello. Some of them were so cute, and it filled my heart with love to read them all. It was such a nice experience to go through these old cards and find a purpose for them, I thought I would share this idea in hopes that it brings someone else as much joy. The oldest card in this collection is from 1994; I was 12 years old, which proves that even then I cherished getting cards and letters in the mail. I liked this so much that I plan to do this again next year on a greater scale, making Valentine’s a holiday I look forward to instead of writing it off as a “Hallmark” holiday. Instead, it will be a day of remembrance and nostalgia, a day that truly reminds me of all the loves of my life. Here I have displayed them for you to enjoy:

Above: I had a friend when I was in my early twenties. We worked together at Starbucks, and it was love at first sight. We were practically inseparable. We had countless inside jokes, and we made up traditions for ourselves that only the best of friends can do. She sent me many cards in the mail that pointed to our friendship and love for each other. When I got married and had kids, she distanced herself from me, probably finding me intolerable since all my attention was now on my family. Friendships for me at the time were put on the back burner. So, she disappeared. She did this to others too when friendships became hard for her. One day she stopped returning my phone calls and texts and I knew it was over. One time I saw her in the park, and she purposely avoided the path I was on. Yet I pine for her and her friendship like I would an old flame. She was brilliant and knew everything about music, and she was an amazing writer and prolific reader. I still love her so much and miss her.

I found two cards in the mix from my grandma to my kids complete with a stick of her favorite gum still attached. She died last year. She was the matriarch of the family and very special to all of us. She called her house Grand Central Station because of the number of visitors she’d get each day. My kids and I would visit her for some tea and a chat and soon my mom would show up and my great aunt (my grandma’s sister). Nothing has been the same since she left us. We’re still trying to find a new normal.

Another surprising thing about this project was that I found note after note from my other good friend with long messages in each one. These messages brought back so many memories for me. We’ve been friends since we were 14 years old. She always picked the cutest cards, and I’ve kept them all. Even in high school, she sent me cards. Her handwriting is so beautiful too, which adds to the beauty of the card. She has recurring breast cancer in her liver now, and so I ask your prayers for her–anyone who reads this.

I couldn’t forget some of the letters and notes I have sent to my husband since we’ve been married.

I also keep the cards I really love at Christmas, and I put them in our Christmas tree each year. My uncle is an artist and makes me one every year for my birthday and Christmas. Here are some examples of his work. He is the creator of the Bombay Beach TVs in Bombay Beach, CA. His work has been on the cover of magazines and recently he was featured in a documentary.

A thank you note from my mother, who loves cats.

A thank you note for a thank you note I sent my grandma’s best friend. This card is from 1994. I was 12 years old. My grandma’s friend had just lost her only daughter in a tragic car accident. She knew I had a collection of Madame Alexander dolls, so she gave me her daughter’s MA dolls when she died. I still have them in my collection.

I want to mention that in addition to keeping the cards I receive, I also send out a lot of cards just like these to people I love. I hope that by doing so more people will keep sending cards in the mail, because it’s such a nice service we have and much more personal than emails. Seeing an individual’s handwriting is a very personal thing. Because I’ll never get another card from some of these people again, I’m so glad I’ve kept what I did so I can remember how much I was loved and how much I love(d) others.

I hope this becomes a common tradition in my house and maybe yours too! Maybe you even do something similar!

Me with my cat ‘Kittybaby’. Note the Valentine’s shirt. : )