The Art of the Handwritten Letter

I have the most lovely and amazing aunt. Although she turned 91 this week, she still lives (alone) in her home in Jackson, Tennessee. Like many in her generation, she's never chosen to learn to use a computer. Instead she corresponds by writing beautiful handwritten notes. I was lucky enough to receive one of these in my mailbox yesterday, and for a moment I was lost in her sweet words.

What is it about handwritten letters that makes them so special? Is it that words written by hand have undergone more thought than those that fly off a keyboard? Or the extra effort it takes to buy a stamp, address an envelope, and drop it in a mailbox? Handwritten notes offer something tangible that can be kept forever. I still have letters written by the hands of my grandmothers, both of whom are no longer living. My grandfather wrote letters to us when we were little using a pen with four different colors. Every word is a different color, his all-caps handwriting all his own, and his quirky sense of humor comes through in every sentence. I'll keep them forever.

When I write letters, I like to use good quality stationery. Here are a few of my favorite stationery makers:

Avie Designs www.aviedesigns.bigcartel.com

William Arthur www.williamarthur.com

Crane & Co. www.crane.com

Enjoy your weekend and take the time to write someone a letter. I know I'll be writing back to my aunt, and that getting my letter will make her day.