Box Full of Letters

I used to write letters. Letters to friends. Letters to Jordan. Letters to the editor (seriously I've got those old copies of the campus newspaper somewhere). Jordan has a box full of letters I wrote her in college. Love letters, silly letters, serious letters and letters of intent.

I'm always jealous when you read about a great historical figure and there is this wealth of handwritten correspondence. It is such a beautiful thing to read. Let me get on my digital soapbox here and hypocritically say that I think we have lost touch with the power of a handwritten letter. Don't get me wrong I love instant communication and I'm the first to appreciate a good GIF as a response to a text message. The sad part though is that if someone wrote your (or my) biography based off of today's correspondence it would be a bunch of facebook pokes, boring work emails, bad pictures of food/babies and Reddit comments. Meh.

There is just something about a letter. It is real and tangible. The ink, the weight of the paper and the smell. They all say something. When was the last time you put your hands on an awesome piece of stationery? You have to be able to spell and punctuate all by yourself to write a letter. Handwriting is a beautiful thing (well mine isn't) too. It can reveal the emotion and so many other layers to what is being written. Handwritten letters seem permanent. It takes time and patience to craft one. You actually have to think about what you are wanting to say. There is no delete key. No one wants a love letter covered in white out (what a great way to confuse someone though.) Then when you finish writing one you have to physically deliver it or God forbid find a stamp and mail it.

I've lost touch with the practice though. Blogging has awakened the desire a bit and is slowly turning the ship back to personal communication through writing. Capturing my feelings and moments preserved through something personal. Who doesn't want that waiting for them in their mailbox? Trust me if you want to make someone's week mail them a letter for no reason and tell them how you feel about them. So many of you have taken the time to do so with Jordan and I. It is something we are so grateful for.

I'm talking about correspondence today because Jordan and I had another gut-wrenching conversation this weekend. I asked Jordan to write some letters to our children (immediately followed by both of us crying.) Jordan can't physically write a letter right now. Her typing is bad too. So composing a letter is going to be physically demanding. It will probably require some help from another person to get it transcribed. Not only will it be physically demanding but also a herculean emotional undertaking as well. I want these letters to be a glimpse into who Jordan is and what our children mean to her. Because if it isn't said now it could be lost forever.

So what do you say as a parent writing to their child in this situation? Something they can physically hold in their hands as a testament to what you want them to know for the rest of their finite existence. I'm not talking mushy I love yous and hugs/kisses. I'm talking character and reminding your children of who they are to you. As a dad, I've started that letter in my head to Benton fifty times since this weekend. I haven't gotten past the comma that comes after Benton. I don't even know where to start. So it is a tough thing to ask someone else to do it. I think it is crucial though for our children to hear from Jordan. To be reminded.

I just hope like hell that Jordan gets to hand deliver those letters to our children one day.

What would you say to your husband/wife/spouse/partner? What about to your children? To your family? Your best friend? Whatever it is you should write it down. Today.

Our box full of letters from you.

-Brack-