Dear Reader,
Since February is the month of love, I’ve been thinking about the lost art of writing love letters. I still remember my grade school days when we drew hearts and flowers onto construction paper Valentines and carried them proudly home to our parents.
For many generations, before email and text messaging gave us instant access to those we love, people relied on handwritten letters to express their deepest emotions. They hurried to their mailboxes to retrieve each envelope, and then poured over every word with undivided attention.
One of the oldest documented love letters in the English language was traced back to 1477, when Margery Brews pledged her love to her fiancé John Paston, of England. Featured in an article published on Valentine’s Day, 2011, in My Heritage Blog, the letter also alluded — with some agitation — to dowry arrangements for their impending marriage.
Susan Armstrong
In more recent centuries, collectors have shared love letters written by famous couples, all expressing their devotion to their soul mates. Among them are soldiers, actors, politicians and authors.
“I more than love you, I’m not whole without you” – Ronald Reagan, aboard Air Force One, wrote to First Lady Nancy Reagan on their 31st Anniversary.
““If I can only succeed in making you happy — I will have succeeded in the biggest and most difficult thing there is — that is to make one person completely happy. Your happiness means my happiness.” – Marilyn Monroe penned to Joe DiMaggio
No doubt, hundreds of thousands of love letters have been written by everyday people, living ordinary lives, but separated by their jobs, their military service or simply the distance between them. Long-forgotten letters written by our parents, or grandparents, can be a treasure to share with our children.
With all of these letters spinning through my head, I was inspired to write one to you.
Dear Reader, no words can express our gratitude for your devotion. Each time you open our pages, you reaffirm our purpose. Without you, we could not exist.
Happy Valentine’s Day – from The Staff and Board of The Active Age.
After all we have been through together in this last year, despite rising costs and tighter budgets, we’re still here. Thanks to your generous donations, the postage monster did not devour us, as we feared it might. We are truly grateful for your continued support.
Haysville resident Susan Armstrong is a board member of The Active Age, former marketing executive and author of the Anna St. John cozy mystery series. She can be reached at susan.armstrong7@gmail.com.
