Dear Reader,
How are you? I hope this letter finds you in good health and high spirits. and I’ve always loved how letters start with a warm greeting, inquiring about well-being, and then seamlessly flowing into deeper thoughts. In this digital world, the art of writing letters has become increasingly rare—almost a lost tradition. Yet, for me, letters remain a cherished form of expression. Though I’ve written only a few in my life, each one has left an indelible mark.
To be honest, my journey with letters didn’t start because of a deep emotional connection or a fascination for writing. Nope—it began in school, when I realized how much marks a well-written letter could fetch in exams! I vividly remember a lesson "A Letter to My Daughter" by Jawaharlal Nehru taught me the beauty of expressing thoughts and wisdom through letters. Who knew that these classroom lessons, meant to improve grades, would later help me navigate my feelings and connections?
Let me share three memorable instances when letters played a pivotal role in my life.
The first time I put these skills to use in real life was when I decided to confess my feelings to my teenage crush. I firmly believe that letters are the most effective tool to communicate and express one’s feelings without interpretation. Oh, what a letter that was! It had a bit of poetry for good measure and a pinch of teenage drama. I handed him that letter with my heart pounding, and he read it. He was genuinely fascinated by the way I expressed myself and even applauded my effort. Now, you might expect me to say, 'And he’s my husband now,' as a happy ending to this story. Plot twist—he rejected- I dejected, and it stung a little. But strangely, I also felt a sense of pride. I had dared to express myself, to open my heart, and that, in itself, felt like a small victory. Here's to hoping the universe will lead me to the right person to write to next!"
I find myself relating to a quote "To send a letter is a good way to open a window to your soul."
Then comes the second instance—this one’s a bit more nostalgic. When my mom got transferred to another city in fifth grade, my childhood best friend wrote me a letter on the blank side of a wedding invitation! A good letter is like a long and meaningful conversation. It was filled with spelling mistakes, random doodles, and sentences that barely made sense. But oh, how beautiful it was! Even today, it’s tucked safely in a drawer, reminding me of a time when love and friendship were simple and pure. Though I lost touch with her, whenever I miss her or feel lonely, I read that red invitation letter again and again. In a way, I can still connect to a part of her through that letter, and it will stay with me forever.
"It reminds me of a movie dialogue. It’s not about being perfect. It’s about being present." - The Pursuit of Happyness (2008)
And then there’s the third instance, right here and right now, as I’m writing this letter to you. Isn’t it fascinating? These words are my way of reaching out to someone I’ve never met, someone who might be sitting miles away, reading and smiling at my stories. I feel like letters have a certain magic—they carry not just words, but pieces of the writer’s heart. Through this, you might catch a glimpse of who I am. As you read this, think of the last letter you wrote or received—what feelings did it stir in you? Magical right!
Now, imagine taking this idea further. Not just writing to others, but to yourself. Picture yourself traveling to different parts of the world, writing letters to describe the places, your feelings, and the moments you want to hold onto forever. Then, you send the letter to your address. When it arrives weeks later, it feels like a time capsule—your past self reaching across time and distance.
Someday, I dream of writing letters to my future child—not for any specific occasion, just little notes of love, life lessons, and stories from my youth. I imagine them opening those letters years later, smiling at who I was and feeling a deeper bond. That’s the legacy of letters. They travel across time.
This magic of letters isn't just confined to our experiences; it has been beautifully captured in in films like The Lunchbox (2013), Sita Ramam (2022), and Kadhal Kottai (1996). In these stories, letters plays a major role in transforming ones lives!
Not only in movies, but also in real life, letters have the power to connect hearts and heal wounds. Mahatma Gandhi once wrote a letter to a friend, asking for forgiveness: "I have done something that I regret, and I want to ask for your forgiveness, not because I am weak, but because my conscience cannot rest until we make peace." It is a simple yet profound gesture. Isn't it!
Now I can say that a single piece of paper could carry the weight of a thousand emotions, right? Long before screens lit up our lives, letters carried emotions, stories, and connections across distances. What makes letters so special is their freedom. Unlike rigid emails or forms, letters flow with the writer’s thoughts, unconstrained by rules or formats. They can be neat or messy, poetic or simple, written on the finest stationery or a scrap of paper. The beauty of a letter lies in its authenticity.
“Letters are the most significant memorial a person can leave behind.” - Johann Wolfgang von Goethe.
Don’t get me wrong-texts and emails are convenient. But they rarely carry the weight of emotions like a handwritten letter does. A “take care” in a text message disappears in a sea of notifications, but that same phrase written in ink stays with you. It’s slower, yes! But maybe that’s the beauty of it. Letters make you pause, reflect, and truly listen -not just to others, but to yourself.
In today’s fast-paced digital age, writing a letter reflects patience, care, and a deep connection to the person on the other side. A handwritten piece carries more than words; it holds the writer’s essence. Each pen stroke, the scent of paper, or even the way ink seeps into the fibers tells a story that no screen can replicate. That’s why I am writing today to remind you of the power of a handwritten letter. I hope this inspires you to rediscover the joy of writing. Grab a pen, pour your thoughts onto paper, and reconnect with the heart of communication. Whether to a friend, a family member, or your future self.
"In a world full of instant messages, letters are timeless treasures."