Old Soul

Tonight I watched that Blake Lively movie The Age of Adaline, and it made me all starry-eyed as I thought of the charms of older days. The clothes, the cars, the hair, the speech...it's amazing how much the world around us can change in just one or two generations.

For example, I love that back in the early years of the 20th century, dancing was regular and expected. We hardly get any opportunities to dance these days. No, jumping around at a party doesn't count. I'm talkin' about a man coming over to your table, taking your hand, and leading you onto the dance floor where you sway with your right hand in his left. Oh, it gives me butterflies just thinking of it. I think it's one of the most romantic things in the world. After all, "the best things happen while you're dancing."

I love that, for the better part of the last 100 years, they dressed up when they went out, even for groceries. Yes, it sounds a bit time-consuming, but so is choosing a caption for Instagram. People really made an effort to look their best, stand up straight, and dress appropriately for whatever occasion. And, I must applaud the women of the '50s who wore heels seemingly always. Hope they got some mad calves--that is hard work. I adore the flattering full skirts and overcoats, the men wearing hats. Not to mention, both men and women took great care of their hair. It was perfectly coiffed or pinned, with women showing off gorgeous, full curls that didn't hang in their faces. I love how polished people looked.

Through the wiser eyes of retrospect, let's adopt the good things of generations before us and incorporate them into our 21st century lives. Take time for a slow dance, and don't be afraid to dress to the nines. These simple joys add up to a happier you in the end.

Anyone else out there an old soul? 

Snail Mail

 I have always been taught by my mother to write thank you notes. She would always say something along the lines of: "You know what? Princess Diana always wrote thank you notes to hosts after an event, and they were handwritten. If she can make the time, so can you." I truly believe in their importance and impact. That's where it all began for me! 

Then, when several of my friends left on LDS missions all across the country and world, I began writing 2 or 3 letters a week to my friends in the states. Oh, it's true love, snail mail and I. Sending and receiving mail is one of my very favorite things, and I'll tell you why.

There is a certain vulnerability required for letter writing.  To sit down, put pen to paper, and record your thoughts and feelings on a piece of paper is tough. I'm sure many of us have said, "ain't nobody got time for that!" To make matters worse, you send it off for another person to hold in their hands. You can't backspace. You can't sit there staring, re-reading, and obsessing over what you should have said instead. You write it out with your own hand, seal it up, and literally send it off, a tangible object. Scaryyyy. But also, what a powerful thing! You can do it, I promise.

I'm not just talkin' The Notebook style love letters, here (although that is, of course, a quick way to my heart). I'm suggesting an encouraging note to your friend in grad school, thank you cards for generous birthday gifts, or a "thanks for looking out for me" card to Grandma who feeds you all the time.

In a world where seemingly everything we share with our friends and family is filtered and carefully crafted online, a handwritten note is a refreshing surprise. It's so much more fun to get mail that isn't a bill or the Anthropologie catalog reminding you of how much money you don't have.

I love that when I see someone's handwriting, I know it could only have been created by them, and they had to sit and think of me, at least for a few minutes, while they wrote to me. Sometimes that person is far away, and knowing someone you don't often see still thinks of you is really lovely.  

If you're wishing you had a letter in your mailbox one day, put your address in the comments and I will send you one! Everyone should get a note "just because" at least once in their life. I'd really love to write to you. Seriously.

Let's keep snail mail alive and well!

Furthermore, if you want to write a letter but don't know who to write to, check out More Love Letters.  The requests have such diversity, from really rough circumstances to insecurities we've all felt. I love being part of it, I thought you might, too.