18 Letters To My Son

Some people might call me a hoarder when it comes to pictures, notes or any other kind of keepsakes. But I call myself sentimental. Anything that makes me think “I might want to remember this in the future” gets turned into something to be saved.

When Joe & I first started dating – I saved EVERYTHING. From the emails, to the petals from roses – it’s documented. Now nearly 7 years later, I have a zillion scrapbook albums piled up and several things in a box I just can’t part with. I even have a pair of shoes that I will never wear again – BUT Joe bought them for me 7 years ago and they bring back some good memories.

Now a few years later, insert baby. Well – he’s not a baby anymore. He will be three this coming Monday.

I just can’t believe how fast time is going and that he will be THREE! And you can imagine,  my sentimental keepsake habit has taken over 100x since having a child.

Since Lil Man came along, I try to capture every moment I can. Technology has grown so much in the past years that really we {as parents} have no excuse not to be able to document our child’s years. My parents were good at it but sometimes I wish there were more pictures – you know?

So my preservation of the years includes a million pictures, home videos and stories written down in a journal. Even the bad pictures and stories get saved because I “might” want to see/hear them again down the road. I even have a hard time getting rid of my son’s clothes as he outgrows them and have been known to give them away and ask for them back {yup – embarrassing!}

So what does that all have to do with today’s post? Well – because this sentimental mama decided that it was time to write “18” letters to her son and save/present them on his 18th birthday. I still have quite some time till I get to present them to him – but you should also know I’m a planner ;)

This activity turned gift, is really easy to pull together. I’ve been taking time at least once a week {sometimes more} to sit down and write one letter. I pre-wrote all the envelopes {so I know the topics at hand} and set aside a card for each envelope. Then I just grab one during naptime and sit down to write. Adding quotes, stories and of course, words of advice.

I’ve rambled in a few cards and some I poured my heart into. There are a few I plan on adding some cash to, so it’s a nice surprise for him.

And not to be “morbid” BUT I really want to do this now so “in case” something ever happens to me, this is a gift I leave behind. I’m planning on keeping it in our fireproof safe in a large envelope marked “Don’t open till – ” I can “only” hope my son treasures it when its time to open.

So today’s post is really on how YOU can do the same. It doesn’t have to be elaborate or fancy – just letters from the heart.

Here are the 18 “topics” I did for my cards. But of course, you can change them up as you see fit! I just hope to SPARK the inspiration within you!

Open when:
* Your 18th birthday
* You are sick.
* You had a good day.
* You need a good laugh.
* You need a smile.
* You need forgiveness.
* You need encouragement.
* You need get well wishes.
* Christmas
* Thanksgiving
* You need a congratulations!
* You miss me.
* You feel alone.
* You are angry.
* You are bored.
* You had a bad day.
* You need to feel appreciated.
* You need a reminder of your worth.

I also am including these fun, inspirational quote cards I found at Hobby Lobby last summer. Just a little something extra to include and add some encouragement. I also plan on adding some random pictures I love to get my point across in the letters. And of course – the birthday one will have confetti in it ;)

Now I know I’m pressing that I did this for my son, but this would also be great for spouses who are deployed OR just friends/family you might just need a pick me up. It’s truly a gift from the heart!