By: Jamie Harlow
Updated: Jan. 16, 2016
Originally Published: Sep. 24, 2015
Recently, I found myself reaching out to a friend via email to ask for her mailing address. Although we’ve met in person a couple of times after connecting through social media and our shared passion for writing, I still didn’t know her exact location. Unbeknownst to her, I had a card I wanted to send.
Isn’t it peculiar to use email just to find out where someone lives for the purpose of sending a handwritten note? Why not just convey my thoughts in the email and call it a day? The answer lies in my preference for traditional communication. I’m far more inclined to appreciate written messages on paper than digital alternatives.
My affinity for this stems from my first job—a stint in a greeting card store during high school and partway through college. I relished many aspects of that job: organizing the card displays, interacting with a diverse range of customers, and yes, the fudge counter (who could resist?). My boss, whom I once found intimidating, taught me valuable lessons that I now hold in high regard, like the importance of counting back change. That job also honed my skills in gift-wrapping and creating balloon bouquets. Plus, the employee discount was a delightful bonus.
More than anything, I adored the cards and stationery. I took full advantage of my discount, particularly on quirky Shoebox cards and Mrs. Grossman’s stickers. If an occasion arose, I would seize the chance to give someone a card or hoard them “just in case” in my bedroom closet. My tastes have evolved; I now gravitate towards unique cards from independent bookstores and eclectic gift shops. And if I have my credit card in hand, keep me away from anything letterpressed!
Standing before the card display, I see the full spectrum of life reflected back: Birth, Birthday, Wedding, New Home, Bon Voyage, New Job, Get Well, Anniversary, and Sympathy. Admittedly, I find myself gravitating towards the latter categories more often these days. Yet, there’s something magical about discovering the perfect card that reminds me of someone. The satisfaction of finding just the right sentiment—whether to celebrate a birthday or extend sympathy—is unparalleled. With pen in hand, I send my heartfelt words off with the mail carrier.
Receiving a card or letter can make someone feel cherished and valued as they sift through their mail. It’s a fleeting moment, yes, but one that’s likely to be appreciated and perhaps even saved, unlike a hastily typed message lost in an email inbox. Simply put, it’s special.
Unlike emails and texts, sending a physical card necessitates thoughtfulness and intentionality. For example, you must remember to mail it at least three days ahead of a birthday to ensure it arrives on time (thank goodness for the Belated Birthday section!). It’s also hard to properly express condolences or thanks without the weight of written words. Plus, the recipient is more likely to open it in a calm moment at home rather than amid the chaos of a busy store checkout.
I’m not dismissing the value of quick texts, especially when trying to remember a last-minute birthday; I’ve been saved by the ability to send a message just before the clock strikes midnight. Still, we all know the awkwardness of hitting send on a late wish or receiving one that feels like an afterthought. With a paper card, even if it arrives a couple of days late, there’s a wider margin for forgiveness; we can blame the postal service and appreciate the effort it took to find a stamp!
I enjoy the tactile experience of ink gliding across paper, the light weight of cardstock in my hand, and even the taste of envelope glue on my tongue. I treasure the personal touch of handwritten notes. We often criticize typos in emails, but finding a misspelled word corrected by hand can feel endearing. Those last-minute annotations reveal the sender’s genuine thoughts, and I can’t help but love a P.S. that spills onto the back with a playful arrow guiding me.
Having grown up in an era when paper was king, I despise the shorthand of “HBD” for birthdays and the impersonal “so sorry for ur loss” when someone suffers a tragedy. Full words seem to be going extinct. What happened to taking a moment to invest in a card and thoughtfully writing something sincere? When we use our pens, we engage in a deeper reflection of our feelings. There’s no backspace button; we must pause to carefully articulate our thoughts.
Sure, we can be more prolific with emails and texts, especially with acquaintances. We can revise and abbreviate to our hearts’ content. Yet, I wonder what we sacrifice in those exchanges. Are we diluting our emotional connections?
Those colorful cards with heartfelt messages can uplift both the giver and the receiver. I recall the joy on customers’ faces when they found the perfect card for a loved one or the somber expressions of those seeking the right words for a loss. I remember grandmothers happily purchasing the largest cards to celebrate new grandchildren.
I grew up in a time before Facebook birthdays, when heartfelt wishes were crafted on paper. I’ve witnessed the magic that occurs in card store aisles, and I know the joy of opening my mailbox to find a card waiting for me, or better yet, sending one to a friend just an hour away.
Summary:
In a world dominated by digital communication, the author reflects on the beauty and significance of sending and receiving handwritten cards. This nostalgic exploration highlights the thoughtfulness behind physical correspondence, contrasting it with the fleeting nature of emails and texts. By sharing personal anecdotes from her time at a greeting card store, the author emphasizes the emotional depth and connection that comes with writing and receiving heartfelt messages on paper.
Keyphrase: “the importance of handwritten correspondence”
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