The random thought striking my mind today: love letters.

Where have all of the love letters gone? You might be thinking of the last time you’ve written or received one, but the definition of the idea of a love letter in the new age is probably not the type I have in mind. Sadly, emails and text messages and Facebook wall posts have replaced the essence of hand-written words on a piece of paper.

All of the elements of a love letter combine and mold into a prized possession; a solid object of thought and feeling. The ink of a pen being pressed down releases an aura of emotions that stay attached to this piece of paper forever, even after those feelings have changed (for better or worse). The time someone puts into physically writing something deep and meaningful is expressed so much more carefully when you lack to ability to backspace or delete what you’ve written. Scribbles and scratch-outs make the words real. Everything from the handwriting to the paper wrinkles to the evidence of a coffee spill form a feeling of nostalgia because it’s a tangible piece of time. Anyone can tell you that they love you when they’re saying goodbye and it’s easy to call someone beautiful when they walk into a room…but sometimes you’re overflowing with so much tenderness and passion, that releasing it into the universe for your source of happiness to keep it tucked into their drawer, pulling it out sporadically to read over and over brings a sense of satisfaction and rapture on both ends. A validation of your spoken words, possibly. There is a comfort in knowing that a person will always have it as a symbol and reassurance of your love and affection, and they will find that same comfort in having it, too.

Maybe this is just the romantic in me running off on a bunch of non-sense, but whether it’s anything from tiny note or a 5 page letter from a friend, a family member, a lover, someone who longed to be your lover, etc. — it’s the best gift to be given, in my silly opinion.

If you seem to agree, look out the book “Other People’s Love Letters” by Bill Shapiro. It’s a lovely little collection. :)

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