August 26, 2023
Dear Friend,
I remember the exact moment I fell in love with letters. We had moved right after my eighth- grade graduation, and my friends had promised to write. I don't remember which did, but I do remember receiving a letter from Larry Loera, the very handsome young man on which I had a huge crush, and which I never expected to hear from again. (We had to drive a few miles to get the mail, and I can still remember sitting in the back seat reading that letter.)
Receiving Larry's letter was pure joy, and I wanted to recreate that feeling. I knew that if I wanted to receive letters, I would have to write them. And I did. And I do. It is true that I write many more than I receive, but I figure that any letter or note I write might bring the joy I am seeking to someone else.
This love of correspondence has led to an obsession with stationery. I look for it in thrift stores and yard sales. (It is getting harder and harder to come by.) Once acquired, I do not hoard it but send it out as often as I can. (If you are waiting for a letter from me, I promise that I will get to it soon.) I also have thousands (not an exaggeration) of note cards. And then there are the thousands of postcards that I have designed and printed or bought and accumulated.
Nine years ago, I was wondering if people sent postcards to each other anymore. This led me to a site called Postcrossing.com. Since joining, I have received 1,800 postcards and mailed 1,804. Postcrossing allows you to exchange postcards with other members around the world. I have received amazing postcards and stamps from 66 countries and sent them to 56. (The addresses are selected randomly.) A few cards have led to dear friendships, others to extended exchanges, but all have brought joy.
I also belong to a site called Sendsomething.net. Looking at the profile members post, one can randomly send something to them. I was recently accepted into the International Union of Mail Artists which exchanges mail art around the world and look forward to exchanging my art with others.
Some people dread going to their mailboxes, fearing bills, advertisements, and solicitations for money. I, on the other hand, cannot wait to open my box and find joy and the world waiting for me inside.
P.S.
If you would like a letter or note from me, please leave a message on the contact page. I would love to send some joy your way. (I already have the stamps and the stationery.)
P.S.S.
Wherever you may be, Larry Loera, Thank you.
My Grandma was my pen pal when I was a newly wed. She hand wrote and mailed various recipes that I had asked for and now that she's passed those hand written recipes are treasured even more! I enjoyed reading this and I makes me want to write more and correspond with others. What a fun hobby!
I would love a card from St Johns… it won’t be from Nonie but would still be special!!
Penny P *
I would love to be penpals! I am a Christian too and am obsessed with stationery. Located in Bermuda. I hope I’ve left this comment in the right place.
YOU are AMAZING SueAn!!! I apologize for not keeping up with letters n cards. You on the other hand have been the best!!! Lots happening in my life lately ... but I WILL GET YOU A CARD IN THE MAIL!!! <3 <3 <3 Love you n sooo happy your hubby is here and hoping he's adjusting well!!!
Long ago my father told me “God loves a woman who writes letters.” How could one not take that to heart. (I was probably around that same age, end of 8th grade. And, yes my father had boys, as well, but obviously this was a message designated for me, his youngest.) I will write soon my friend, I promise!