I’d like to talk about my aunt, Marion, who is a retired schoolteacher living in a small village in Yorkshire. Despite having a modern smartphone and a laptop, she has always remained fiercely loyal to the traditional practice of putting pen to paper.
She actually writes letters quite regularly, I’d say at least two or three times a month. Whenever there is a family birthday, an anniversary, or even just when someone has had a bit of good news, she sits down at her bureau to compose a proper letter. She also keeps up a steady correspondence with a couple of her former colleagues who live overseas, exchanging long, multi-page letters every couple of months.
As for the contents, her letters are always wonderfully detailed. She rarely just gives a factual update on daily events; instead, she shares thoughtful reflections on books she has recently finished, humorous anecdotes about her garden and neighbours, and insightful advice. She often tucks small keepsakes inside the envelope, such as pressed flowers from her garden or interesting newspaper clippings she thinks the recipient might enjoy.
I think she favours handwriting because she genuinely views it as a lost art with immense sentimental value. To her, sending a quick digital message feels slightly impersonal and disposable. She often says that taking the time to choose lovely stationery, fill a fountain pen, and carefully write by hand shows genuine care and intentionality. In a fast-paced world where everyone expects instant replies, she finds the deliberate pace of writing and waiting for a postal response rather therapeutic, and the recipient ends up with a tangible keepsake rather than just another notification.