I was going through some boxes of letters and photographs and was so excited to find these two pictures.
This is my sister Addy 12 years ago at age 6 checking the mail in her dress-up dress and gloves and purple high heels. Checking the mailbox was a really big deal back then. :)
This is a picture of me and my dad at one of my bridal showers (hosted by my parents' neighbors) in 2002. My dad was not in attendance at this shower--but he popped his head in after work to tease the ladies and grab a handful of peanuts. Someone suggested he take a quick picture with me, so he did. (That's little Addy on the left looking on with pride.)
After the picture was developed, my mom told my dad he should write me a note on the back. My dad doesn't really do notes--not serious ones, anyway. He will gladly graffiti anything you hang on the refrigerator or leave lying around, but he doesn't do the sentimental stuff. But I am really glad he took my mom's suggestion, because I will forever have this gem.
This is as serious as it gets with him. I am sure he was squirming writing some of that but was much more in his comfort zone adding " . . . so far" to the "proud of all you've done in your life" part. And the P. S. --that is him at his finest. I laugh every time I read it.
I share all of this to say . . . never underestimate the meaningfulness of even the smallest note. You don't have to be profound when you tell someone you care--just take the time to do it. You can be yourself when you write. If things start to get awkward, just add an appropriate post script. :)
