Write Letters to Your Friends
My face pressed against the cold steel door as I peered through the holes toward the driveway. Could it be here already? My fingers clenched around my dad’s pants along with hopes of spotting the mailman. As it arrived, I read my name in a handwritten, colorful green marker. I ripped open the envelope and devoured the letter. This one had a spiral drawn in the middle of the page with the words following the path. I spun the paper round and round to keep up with the pace of reading. I may not remember what it said, though the feeling stays with me.
Receiving post cards and packages from friends still brings that rush of delight. The anticipation. The delayed gratification that you couldn’t get in digital form. A physical memory you could look back on. A snapshot of life during that point of time. There’s something intimate about receiving a handmade note. Imagining my close friends taking the time to thoughtfully write out their thoughts in the moment or share what about the postcard reminded them of me.
Another favorite was sent by my friend, Jodi, who sent me a holographic postcard from an Andy Warhol museum. The color is so striking and has me mesmerized every time I glance over at it. I’ve been meaning to tape it to my photo wall, though I have trouble realizing that I won’t be able to turn it over to read her note any time I want.
Postcards are souvenirs you don’t have to take home with you. These are a traveler’s best friend. Especially ones from museums I visited or unique landmarks. It’s also a more personalized touch than a keychain. Heck, I even send some to myself to document what I’m feeling at the moment and I gladly wait to see if I or the postcard makes it home first. I tried that after a friend mentioned that it’s something they do for themselves.
During my trip to Barcelona, I found a unique postcard based on the Casa Batlló. The card had an embossed design that stood out beautifully. Some have a stock-image type of feel that doesn’t always emulate the feeling of having experienced visiting that space. This has also sparked some interest around creating my own postcards using my own photographs in that space.
What started off as a way to update people about my travels became a way to stay connected with friends from home or living their life in another part of the world.
Send a postcard to a friend you’ve been meaning to reach out to. They’re easy to find once you start looking. Traveling trinkets are never very far. I’m sure someone would love to experience that same anticipation of receiving something from you.