Last week, I was in a discussion with friends of both sex. A few of them were basking in the nostalgia that filled them up as they recounted their experiences as teenagers in romantic affairs. I couldn’t relate because I never had a boyfriend until I was nineteen (you don’t wanna know). So there I was, seated amidst these late twenty/thirty-somethings, trying to visualise the scenario as they spoke. It must have felt good to be a boyfriend or girlfriend to another human, right? Unfortunately for me, I didn’t have a boyfriend who wrote me letters.
Over the years, I would come to realise that I am the kind of person who loves to get love letters because I am quite the awkward romantic. Don’t even start me up on romance movies that leave me in tears at the end of it. The feelings come on really strong and I have to form, “hard guy” so people don’t see that I’m all mushy inside. Love letters are a thing in my dictionary, I mean, why won’t anyone want to receive letters? LOVE letters. I’d let you in on a secret, if you want my attention (even if we fall out later on), write me a letter.
These letters have been capturing minds and hearts of civilisation for centuries. Form and content may have changed, but intent remains the same. Before email, text messages, and Instagram memes, couples in love would communicate through heartfelt handwritten messages. Something about the notion of writing one’s thoughts for another conveys a deep sense of intimacy. While jewellery and diamonds may catch the eye, words written from the heart convey your love in a more intimate way. Hell, we even have such letters in the Old Testament!
Many moons ago, I planned on setting up a handwritten letter outfit where people would write letters and and the outfit took care of the rest. It was such a deal I felt positive about, but when I factored in the resources and operations, I figured it won’t fly in a country like Nigeria. Not with the constant problematic developments we get here. It broke my heart but I got over it. Maybe someday in the near future, far away from here, I’d set it all up pretty well. Does this mean that I sort of an old-timer? Maybe!
There is an innate pleasure in writing and reading a love letter. Hopefully, the nostalgia of giving or receiving them would inspire you to put your feelings down in writing this Valentines. Regardless of how it’s written, your loved one is sure to be smitten to bits with such sweet gesture.
Do you still write love letters? Let’s know how you feel or what you think about them. Till next week, have a great weekend ahead!