When I told people that I was writing a book about handwritten letters, some of them could not hide their skepticism, probably because handwritten letters seem about as relevant to their lives now as eight-track tapes. Still, and somewhat surprisingly perhaps, many more people had a different reaction—an undeniably positive response. With smiles and delight, these letter enthusiasts happily shared heartfelt experiences related to sending and receiving handwritten letters. They told me deeply personal, sometimes even transformative stories about the impact a certain letter or collection of letters had on their lives. There were stories of changed lives, filled hearts, unforgettable kindnesses, deep passions, even terminated relationships—all because of letters. With a long exhale and a sense of sadness and resignation, my fellow letter enthusiasts then lamented the end of the “golden age” of handwritten correspondence. Perhaps you, too, have long ago given up on the idea that handwritten letters could be part of your life. If so, I encourage you to look at recent societal trends. There is a glimmer of hope on the horizon; younger generations are showing a renewed enthusiasm for handwritten correspondence, and I, for one, am optimistic about the future of handwritten letters.

During the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020, for example, sales of cards and stationery thrived, according to recent surveys.1 “Everyone is experiencing digital fatigue, which is real— so we are turning to tangible things,” market analyst Andrea Bell explains. “And we have more time on our hands than ever before. We are experiencing moments of self-reflection and quiet, and for many, using that time to send a card or letter feels like the right thing to do.”2 To me, letters represent something deeper, more lasting, and more meaningful than other kinds of communication. Specifically, they give voice to our deepest emotions, encourage our creativity and most earnest self-expression, and enable us to share love from the depths of our souls. Letters symbolize connections, intimacy, caring, commitment, and sharing with others, heart to heart and mind to mind. The letters we write represent and record all that it means to be human—the loves, losses, frustrations, achievements, dreams, sorrows, and existential dilemmas we may face. What could be more important than that? I am not ready to let go of the handwritten letter. It may seem irrational to some to cling to an old form of communication given the ease, speed, and predictability of computers and smartphones. Yet it is precisely because of the sameness and one-dimensionality of technology that I crave the analog, highly tactile, and the deeply personal nature of handwritten communications. Because you have picked up this book, maybe you do, too. This book is for letter enthusiasts who regularly write letters, for those people who once loved the letter-writing process but have given up on the activity, as well as for those who are interested in writing letters for the first time. Here, I share my love for handwritten letters through my own personal lens, as well as from the perspectives of artists, authors, historians, storytellers, and other letter lovers. This is not a scholarly review. I do not dwell on the history of letter writing (though it does get a quick overview), tease apart the letters of famous authors, or provide prompts for writing the “perfect letter.”

Instead, I explore the meaning and value of handwriting letters from my own and others’ experiences, as well as from a broader societal standpoint, driven by my curiosity and a desire to celebrate a form of communication that has linked humanity for thousands of years. When used with positive intent, a letter’s greatest value is as a platform for the best of who we are at our most authentic, loving, and playful selves. I encourage anyone who adores letter writing to dust off your old—or pick up a new—favorite pen and add some joy to the lives of the people you know and hold dear. Letters are one of the greatest gifts we can give. Why not initiate a new, positive, and loving exchange with someone you adore—family, lovers, neighbors, friends— using one of the oldest, most authentic forms of interpersonal communication there is? Dear readers, please, do write!