New Post from BiteofanApple

Mailing Things Is Fun

Sometimes I can't tell if I'm discovering a cool new hobby, or just getting old. Regardless, today I come to you with a tale of a little endeavor of mine.

In early 2020, a family member took a job far from home and, because of the nature of the work, would therefore be out of cell service for large swaths of time. As a gag, we decided to communicate via long-form letters over email as well as the occasional postcard. Later that year, in the grips of a pandemic, my D&D group went virtual, but that came with several drawbacks—including the sudden lack of the ability to pawn chewing gum off of me during games.¹ So, before our first virtual game, I mailed every one a pack of gum, to be opened on the call.

It was fun, a cheap little laugh. However in the time since, my occasional appreciation for the mail has become nothing short of a deep and profound predilection.

You Can Just Mail Things

Receiving postcards is fun. Mailing them is even more so.

I figure most people out there have sent a postcard to a friend or family member when they're on vacation (or at least the occasional holiday card). But remember, you need no special occasion to use the mail. You can just mail things. Go somewhere fun, like maybe an art museum? You know, they have postcards there. Does a work of art remind you of an inside joke with an old friend? Send them the postcard of it. It's $1 (+stamps). In a world of free and ubiquitous instant messenger apps, a card in the mail has a truly special significance.

A few of the cards and letters I've received (or have still waiting in my stockpile) along with a notecard of how much postage is for domestic and international letters.

Personally, I like to collect postcards from cool places and send them out to friends I haven't seen in a while, or who live far away. I could text them, and I often do, but it's never as special. What's more, if you receive a postcard from a friend, mail one to them in return! They'll smile just as much as you did.

If you get hooked, don't worry. There's a plenty-deep-enough rabbit hole to fall down. In that case, grab a pen and some nice paper. Write a letter. It's hard work, and will make you appreciate the ease and rapidity of text messaging. But a letter is more than a way to communicate. It's an art form.

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