One of my goals this month is a simple one… but also kind of bold.
I’m writing a letter to Virginia Evans… and hoping she’ll write back!
Virginia Evan is the best-selling author of The Correspondent, the book I recently devoured (well, listened to… while walking… and also late into the night when I should have been sleeping 😄).
I’ve already shared my thoughts in my Goodreads review, but that didn’t feel like enough. This book practically invites you to write a letter.
If you’ve read it, you know why.
The protagonist, Sybil Van Antwerp, is a devoted letter-writer—including to authors. And now here we all are, a bunch of inspired readers, probably doing the exact same thing. I’m pretty sure that Virginia Evans is being absolutely inundated with fan mail right now.
Still… I’m sending mine anyway.
And yes—I’m including a stamped, self-addressed envelope and even an extra card. I know it’s a long-shot, but I’m hoping for a reply from this now-famous author!
This little project has me thinking a lot about letters in general—and how meaningful they can be.
Last year, while cleaning out my mom’s house, I uncovered a treasure I didn’t even know existed: a stack of love letters from 1954 between my mom and dad, written before they were married. Reading them felt like stepping into a time capsule.
My Mom wrote this letter 72 years ago today!
I also came across something I had completely forgotten about: a letter I wrote to my dad for his 71st birthday, encouraging him to write his life story.
And he did.
It made me realize—letters aren’t just communication. They’re catalysts. They capture a moment, but they can also create something new.
At the very least, they’re a way to create connection, give recognition, or tell someone you’re thinking of them.
I love all the wonderful ways we can communicate these days – text messages, IMs, social media, email, video-chat, and, of course, phone calls!
But, there’s something fun about good old-fashioned snail-mail! Partly, that’s because I get to seal my letter with my special Carpe Diem stamp!
And if I’m really lucky… I’ll hear back from Virginia Evans. 😊