I had not considered this, but she's right. I receive few handwritten letters anymore. But still, I write them. I write to editors and to others who work in the publishing industry also. I've learned that a writer can actually stand out from the crowd a bit by writing a handwritten note. After all, most correspondence these days is electronic, and the Tweet has become such a standard expression for many people, editors are shocked when they receive something longer and personal. Any twit can tweet, and most can't spell.
I learned how to write letters when I was in North Carolina. My week was framed by writing lengthy love letters to Becky, who was still at Purdue, and for some reason, she's saved a lot of these letters and says she cherishes them. Why I'll never know.
My love letters now aren't quite so passionate . . . it's more difficult to write about the treats after you know all the tricks. But when Becky finishes her evening classes next week, I'll probably drop her a handwritten line praising her resiliency, her hard work, and her ability to get by on four hours of sleep each day. I'll also buy her a rose or two and will personally hand-select her favorite variety of Hamburger Helper for dinner that evening. But by God she'd better cook it. I'll write a letter to this effect and describe the renewed passion I have for discovering her in a new frame of mind, and how I am just itching to go away with her for a day so we can read some books. I'll take a photo of myself in posing trunks and try to get a tan so I won't look like a pasty poodle. I'll describe my idea of a perfect day, focusing primarily on the weather, with a few other ideas thrown into the mix that might involve canola oil and licorice whips.
Handwritten letters are important when a couple wants to understand each other and renew their passion.
And if this doesn't work . . . I'll just send her a text message.
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