I remember the days of pen pals, snail mail, and land lines. When there wasn’t caller ID and you simply had to answer the phone, blindly (gasp! Such a risk). When people actually sat down and penned a letter, in their best handwriting, to friends and family. I recently found some old letters from my great-grandmother that she had written to me years ago. They were written on beautiful light blue, with floral print, stationary, in her beautifully looped penmanship. The content of the note was priceless, if you can imagine the age gap of about 72 years. These letters got me thinking about other times I had received letters in the mail and the excitement that it evoked. My mom and dad were diligent writers to Allison and me when we headed away to church camp for a week, or the random “hello” cards my mom would send us when we went away to college. I remember the days of elementary school pen pals, letters arriving from a state on the other side of the country. And who can forget the “secretive” notes that you passed with your best friend between class periods in high school (I think mine are still hidden in a shoe box under my bed at my parent’s house :)). I also can’t leave out the countless letters TJ sent in the mail when we did the whole long distance love in college.

Yet, what’s so sad is that social media has replaced this thoughtful gesture. Birthday texts have replaced the phone calls, and a simple message on your Facebook wall has replaced a paper copy birthday card. I’m the first to admit, I’m so guilty. Which is why Allison and I partnered up with Tiny Prints to bring back the endangered, yet personal, form of communication. We’ve compiled a short list of our favorite ways to connect with friends and family via the pen and paper.

First, start with cute stationary. I chose these and Allison chose these from Tiny Prints’ fabulous collection! And with Christmas right around the corner, their options are limitless (and the perfect time to write a personal note on those annual cards).

1. Get personal: Remember those nicknames you had for your friends (I sure can, not that I care to use them on a regular basis now). Address them with that nickname. I’ve always found that it brings a warmness to the heart.

2. Start by letting them know….: Just why you’re reaching out. I am notorious for starting my letters with, “I just wanted to let you know… (how much I appreciate you, how much I care about you, how much I loved seeing you).”

3. Reminisce: A little nostalgia never hurt anyone. I actually find that it helps you feel more connected. Examples? Well, I may write to my old college roommate, “I remember the days, running down the boardwalk in Mission Beach, in all of our date night gear.” It’s bound to bring a smile to that person’s face.

4. Wrap it up with hopes for the future: I always love to end letters to TJ with, “I can’t wait to see what the future holds for us.” Or to a girlfriend who I haven’t seen in a while, “I can’t wait until we are reunited and can make more memories together.”

Once your done, stick that stamp in the right corner and let the mail man do the rest 🙂

{Thank you to Tiny Prints for sponsoring this post. All opinions are our own}