It’s the age of social media. Evites and Facebook events have replaced invitations. Tweets and texts have replaced phone calls. Emails are sent instead of a letter. While this gives us quick gratification and often saves time, do you ever stop to think how much a handwritten note is appreciated?

I love writing cards, notes and letters to people, and half the fun is picking out the perfect stationary. I know the joy I get out of opening the mailbox and seeing something in there other than bills or junk mail, which is usually all that I get. Half the reason I subscribed to Birchbox is so that I have something to look forward to in my mailbox each month. But I get really excited when I see a letter hand-addressed to me, whether it’s for a baby shower, house-warming party or just a letter to say thanks.

Every time I get a gift from someone, the thank you card goes out within the week. I want them to know that I appreciate the gift and gesture, and also that I value our relationship. I grew up being taught that this was the right thing to do, and I continued to do so the rest of my life. I don’t know when most people simply stopped caring, but you don’t see many people carrying out this almost-forgotten tradition. I know people say they are just so busy nowadays, but does that mean that you don’t have to be polite or have manners anymore? No one is too busy to take a moment out of their day to show a little bit of gratitude.

Personally, I’m struggling with this at the moment because of a situation happening in my life. I don’t give people things so that they can shower me with praise for doing a nice thing, but it is nice to know that what you did was appreciated. Recently, I sent a housewarming/birthday gift that was probably a little more than I normally would send. I wanted to do it because I was proud of this person for her first home, and I couldn’t be there to celebrate her birthday. This was almost three weeks ago, and I still haven’t even heard anything about it from her, not even a text to say “got your gift, thanks!” I’m a little shocked, hurt and think it’s just plain rude.

What I have heard from this person is a text demanding me to send her information for an upcoming event. It’s funny how someone will talk to you when they want something from you. Why would I feel inclined to do MORE for someone who is obviously ungrateful for anything given to her or done for her? At what point to you simply say no and stop trying? I guess it’s true what they say, you can’t buy someone’s love, because it’s certainly not working in this case for me. Unfortunately, this isn’t a relationship I can simply walk away from, she’ll be in my life forever and there’s nothing I can do about that. But believe me, I have no intention of putting forth any effort towards a relationship with someone when it couldn’t be less valued on the other end.

I wish that handwritten correspondence wasn’t such a lost art, because it is one of the most sincere things to do for someone. Do you show the ones around you that you care about them and value their presence in your life? Have you sent a handwritten letter to someone for no reason before? That might be the best kind of letter. It doesn’t have to say much, it just has to say something. Let the people in your life know you care about them, because if you don’t, they might stop caring altogether. I know I’m close to that point right now, and it’s a shame. So make an impact on someone today and send a handwritten letter; it might just mean the world to them.