Today, I thought I’d share one of the reasons why I absolutely love curating cards
and find delight in mailing them to friends, family, and colleagues.
When I was in fifth grade, I fell in love with the pen-pal philosophy. I liked knowing that there was a friend out there I could write to, rely on, and, through paper, express my deepest insecurities. Someone who wouldn’t pass judgment and who would be able to answer all of my innocent yet overwhelming curiosities. With middle-school quickly approaching, my world was beginning to open up. The behavior of boys and girls was certainly a confusing topic and making friends became more important than ever. My parents traveled a great deal, which left me yearning for a personal connection. I needed the wisdom you can only get from someone with experience. At the time, my grandfather had written me a letter asking me questions about school and life in Chicago, so I figured I’d write him back - Paw-Paw became my first, and very best, pen-pal. I remember waiting with great anticipation for the mail to be delivered, sorting through the letter stack and squealing in delight when I saw my name and address on the outside of the envelope. I’d run to my bunk-bed, rip open the letter and pour over every word - often a two-page letter addressing and reassuring all of my worries.
In my late teens and early twenties, I took letter-writing up a notch - designing the outsides of envelopes with images from magazines and decorating around the recipient's name. Devoting hours writing to my friends both far and near, including my grandfather. After I got my first 9-5 job, my passion for letter writing shifted to corporate documenting. My job required a lot of it so by the time I got home, I had very little energy left. As time went by I desperately missed the personal connection of putting a pen to paper, as email became the new norm.
Today, as our digital age continues to explode, emailing, texting, and a variety of social media platforms have slowly eroded the practice of letter writing. While these virtual tools are easier to use, they lack elements that only a handwritten note can bestow. Letters are personal. The impression of a person’s handwriting is so unique and solely theirs. A handwritten letter is a highly tactile experience. The thickness or delicate texture of the paper, the muted or vibrant graphics, and the scent. Physical elements can stop time and transcend the reader to an uninterrupted connection between two people. Greater still is the gift of being able to revisit this powerful piece of paper that truly encapsulates a moment in time - just as a photograph, only with words that never fade.
Good news, staying connected and communicating through a handwritten note is on the rise! This makes me and the Sip and Ship team extremely happy because we get to be a part of this very personal process and experience. From our carefully curated card collection to providing you with a place to sit, gather your thoughts, and mail a sentiment; Sip and Ship enjoys supporting you and all of life’s moments and milestones, both big and small.
Sincerely,
Diana and Your Sip and Ship Team
#thepowerofpaper #handwrittennotes #cards #birthdaywish #encouragement #gratitude #sympathy #joy #sendlove #maillove #snailmail #sip #ship #shop #send