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Throw Back Thursday

Family, Throw Back Thursday, WriteYourLove

Dad’s #writeyourlove #tbt

I love my Dad. I think that’s been well documented (like here, here, and here) on this blog but today I’m sharing something special…his handwriting.

Tales of a Peanut #writeyourlove #tbt Dad

Now, I’m not telling you that my Dad wrote me letters all the time, but on occasion he did, especially when I was out of town. And in college I went and interned in the Senate for a month and spent about six weeks in Washington, DC. During that time Dad wrote me a few notes like this one. It’s short and quick and on company letterhead, but it’s in my Dad’s handwriting and I still have it all these years later.

Dad and Jenn 1985

Even when someone is still with you, like my Dad, having a piece of them in their handwriting means so much. Thinking about my dad taking time out of his ridiculously busy workday to write a note to me like that just reminds me how deep his love for me is. I’ll treasure notes like that and pictures like the one above forever.

Do you have any handwritten notes from your parents? What do you think about when you look at them? Please share them with me on instagram using the hashtag #writeyourlove! I might just share your post with my followers!

Friends, Throw Back Thursday, WriteYourLove

Mary Shaw’s #writeyourlove #tbt

I’m continuing my #writeyourlove #tbt series today with a throwback from high school.

Tales of a Peanut #writeyourlove #tbt Mary Shaw

Mary Shaw was one of my good friends that I have written about before. She was diagnosed with cancer when we were in 8th grade and passed away right after the start of our junior year in high school. She was incredibly kind and caring and totally in love with Jesus. She was also one of the most talented artists that I know and did so much with the little time that she had.

Mary Shaw 1999 Summer Formal

Her handwriting has the feel of a high school girl to it but it was uniquely hers and didn’t change much over the years. This note was one she wrote to me after I was in a car accident right before our freshman year in high school. I don’t know if she wrote this while she was in the hospital getting chemo or if she was at home but she was definitely dealing with a lot more than broken bones when she wrote this fun and encouraging note to me. I still have it, along with some earlier notes from middle school. They remind me of her sweet personality and encourage me to live my life with more purpose.

Do you have special notes from high school that you cherish? Show them to me and tell me about your friends on instagram using the #writeyourlove hashtag! I might share your picture on my feed!

PS Don’t forget to enter the #writeshootlove contest! You can get all the details in the previous post. The contest ends tomorrow at midnight so don’t delay!

Family, Throw Back Thursday, WriteYourLove

Granny’s #writeyourlove #tbt

Today over on instagram I’m starting a new #tbt (Throw Back Thursday) series showing examples of handwritten letters that I’ve received in the past. I have always loved stationery and handwritten letters and I want to share some with you and tell you about why they are so important to me.

Tales of a Peanut #writeyourlove #tbt Granny

I’m starting this series with a Valentine’s note sent by my great-grandmother, Granny. Granny passed away when I was a freshman in high school so I still have vivid memories about my time spent with her. She lived in Jackson, Tennessee and we would travel up to her and Gramps’ house occasionally. I credit her with passing down her creative genes to me because she was always crafting something. Whether it was a wooden block nativity and Christmas ornaments or her own flower pressed notecards, she was always working on crafting projects.

Granny with great-grandchildren

Granny loved her family and was very good at writing notes. This example shows that even just adding your own signature and a short line on something that is typed or pre-printed means a lot. I know that I wouldn’t have kept this random poem if it didn’t have Granny’s sweet note to “Be My Valentine! Granny” on it. But as it is it’s lasted for decades now and I have no intention on letting it go anytime soon.

Tales of a Peanut #writeyourlove #tbt Granny2

I can just imagine her sitting at her typewriter, typing out this poem and signing it with her own unique scrawl. If you showed me just the message without her name I could still tell you that it was Granny who wrote this. Handwriting is so special and extremely unique to each and every person which is one reason that it is so precious.

Do you have any handwritten heirlooms that you treasure? I’d love to see them! Share them on instagram with the #writeyourlove hashtag and I might share it on my feed or on my blog!

Christmas, Family, Throw Back Thursday

Throw Back Thursday

Christmas Goofy Face

 

I’m guessing that this picture, from December of 1987, probably shows my personality pretty well.  I’m sure that this was just the picture that Mom was hoping for all dressed up in my nice Christmas dress.  I feel like I’m saying this a lot in these throw back posts but, I’m sorry Mom!