Inspiration behind the NEW notecard collection
Paper treasures
As a little girl growing up in the tar heel state of North Carolina, my mother and I were frequent visitors of the local stationer. She adored beautiful note cards. The small boutique was in the corner of one of those old brick shopping centers. You know the ones where it becomes a quest to secure the closest parking place to the front door. Once inside, the colorful displays of writing paper in all shapes, sizes and textures captured our imagination. Festive new cards announcing each season would lead to a game of selecting our favorites. If that wasn’t enough, the most wonderful writing instruments tempted us to find the one that felt best in our hand. Smiles turned to laughter as we sat on the tall swirly stools at the nearby soda fountain while we sipped our milkshakes and inspected our newfound paper treasures.
Smiles turned to laughter as we sat on the tall swirly stools at the nearby soda fountain while we sipped our milkshakes and inspected our newfound paper treasures.
Family affair
I come from a good stock of letter writers. Each possessing a magical gift for making words dance with every stroke of their pen. They draw you in and transport you to another place. As if in that moment you were the only two people on the planet. You can almost hear the writer’s voice speaking the words, as you hold the same paper they penned for you.
Finding a handwritten note in the mailbox after a long day has always been a part of my life. That feeling of excitement and anticipation. To see the familiar writing as unique as their smile and personality always brought a sense of warmth, comfort. I could hardly wait to open the envelope. Some caught you up on the latest news from summer camp, while others said good luck on an upcoming exam, wished you a happy birthday or congratulated you on your big promotion. These notes were a reminder that you were on their mind and in their heart.
To see the familiar writing as unique as their smile and personality brought a sense of warmth, comfort.
Rocky start
Not only was my mom masterful at writing a proper thank you note or any note for that matter, she wanted me to be. She had a simple rule in our house. “Whenever you receive a gift, it is your responsibility to write the giver a thank you note. The same for someone who treated you to a meal, invited you to stay in their home or did something nice for you. Remember, they didn’t have to do this for you. Thank them for their kindness. Let people know how much you enjoyed their visit or hospitality. Tell them why it was important to you.”
I remember sitting at the kitchen table for hours racking my brain for the right words. There were times when I wished I had never received a certain gift because I didn’t want to write about why I appreciated it. Looking back, I am incredibly grateful to her for instilling such a valuable life skill in me. Not only did it hone my writing skills, it taught me to appreciate the kindness of others. You know you have done a bang up job when you receive a thank you for your thank you.
Not only did it hone my writing skills, it taught me to appreciate the kindness of others.
Bring joy back to the mailbox
While SMS messages filled with emojis and buzz word abbreviations are becoming the norm, I still adore a handwritten letter. Finding it patiently waiting among the pizza coupons and utility bills in my mailbox fills me with joy. Whether it is from someone back in my homeland or a friend across town, it still evokes the same emotions I felt as a child. Knowing they took the time to write and mail me a letter when they could have easily sent me an email or a WhatsApp makes me value it even more. These increasingly rare treasures help me to feel human and remind me that I matter. They often beckon to be displayed on the bulletin board and some make it into the rainy-day keepsake letter collection to be cherished for a lifetime.
It’s been almost a year since my mom passed. Now I am on a new quest as a tribute. To bring joy back to the mailbox, one handwritten letter at a time. That is why I created a new collection of notecards with many of the elements that delighted us. Plus, I can incorporate my love of photography into each one. Who knew our Saturday morning outings would inspire the creation of these special notecards so many years later.
Who knew our Saturday morning outings would inspire the creation of these special notecards so many years later.
May this new collection encourage you to pull out your favorite pen and write a note to someone important in your life.