Have you ever walked in on a couple having an extremely irrational argument? A few months ago, I overheard my parents bickering about the fact that I taught my mom how to pay their bills online. Fast, easy, and she could kiss writing checks goodbye; but my dad was not pleased with her new technological advances. I couldn’t figure out why he’d want her to pay bills the old fashioned way until a few weeks later when the truth came out…
You see, my dad’s a mail man and what happens every time someone pays their bills online?
Boom! The USPS loses more money and as you know, the POST OFFICE is in
big trouble with branches shutting down completely the past few years. While we all appreciate email, can you imagine never seeing a mail carrier again? Can you imagine losing the option to lick a stamp or mail a heartfelt letter? Or what about never getting a real Birthday card or wedding invitation in the mail again? Thankfully, there’s compelling reasons to keep using the USPS I’ll get to later. First, I want to say
Happy (belated) Father’s Day to all the dads out there and I have a few appreciative notes for mine as well….
Thank you for always getting me practical gifts, eventhough I didn’t always appreciate them.
Thank you for trying to make yard work seem fun since I was an infant, although I’ve always preferred to avoid it.
Thank you for always planting a berry patch in the back yard
Thank you for teaching me the importance of cardio, but I could have done without the 3K ‘FunRuns’ as a toddler.
Thank you for taking the time to skim through the weekly tabloid magazines so we can discuss the latest celeb gossip even if I roll my eyes when you pretend to care about Lady Gaga or drama between Chris Brown & Rihanna.
Happy Father’s Day Dad from the whole family! And now….
{Halloween dressing up like my dad back in 1st grade before I cared about hair & makeup}
1. The DatelineNBC Effect ~ Have you dated someone for months or have a business partner and you have no idea what their handwriting looks like? Studies have shown how little people actually write these days and can’t even recognize their best friends’ writing. Watch one episode of DatelineNBC and you’ll be well aware it never hurts to possess a small collection of handwriting samples.
2. Do it for ’Newman!!’ ~ Can you imagine watching a classic episode of Seinfeld in the future and your teenage grandson walks in and not only doesn’t get the ‘mailman’ humor, but he doesn’t even know what a postal worker is because they no longer exist? With younger kids using technology earlier than ever, maybe elementary and junior high teachers could have a letter writing lesson plan (Each student gets a book of stamps in the beginning of the school year (under $12) and every few weeks they write, stamp, and mail a letter to a friend, grandparent or their mom or dad.)
3. Romance! ~ If you’re in a relationship with a woman (especially if it’s long distance) and you text, Skype, email, FB, or tweet at her multiple times a day, it’s definitely time to write an actual letter or card. Imagine her smile thinking of you when she receives it at home or work. Handwritten letters are romantic even if you’ve been married 30 years. If you don’t believe me, watch the Notebook. 
4. Save Money! ~ I know the lines can be annoying, but the Post Office is super efficient as this Forbes article shows. Plus, you can mail cards anywhere in drop-off boxes and it’s LESS expensive and often faster than the UPS or FedEx. (You can save 50% or more). Use their Priority Mail Flat Rate shipping for only $5.15 anywhere in the US. See all of the USPS rates HERE
5. There’s always a Reason ~ Beyond the obvious times to send a Thank You note for occasions like Wedding gifts, showers, etc., there are a lot MORE reasons to keep stationary or a notepad nearby. Keep a few cards or blank stationary and stamps in your TV room, your desk at work, or your bedroom. The next time a commercial break comes on during your favorite show, write a quick card to a family member or friend, even if it’s just saying ‘hi.’ You might start a new trend, put a smile on a loved one’s face, and slowly save the USPS one stamp at a time.
With the 2011
US Census showing there are over 311 million US residents, I’m pretty sure the
USPS could get back on their feet if we all just took 3 minutes to write a couple handwritten notes, letters or cards each month. And then my mom can continue happily paying bills online. ;)
Do you communicate electronically only, or do you still mail letters or cards using the Post Office?
Hope you had a good weekend!
xoDale
Announcement ~ I’m kicking off the official start to SUMMER with a new post each day this week and a Summer Giveaway announced by Friday! Coming tomorrow… ‘Bravo! Styling Session Including What to Wear for (Your) Birthday Celebration!’
Excellent post and good point on the USPS, I hadn’t thought of it that way!
Dale, yes I still do send letters regularly and I’m one of those people who always has a stamp on her at all times. You never know when you’ll find a postcard that you want to send someone. There is something to be said about sitting down to write a honest-to-goodness letter to someone and I do really care about seeing what people’s handwriting looks like!
I love writing letters – I do it all the time and I always carry stamps around with me. My family is really good about sending postcards, dashing off a note – even to someone in town! I know it makes me different from my friends!
thanks for sharing this beautiful photos with us!
I love sending and receiving letters in the mail. It’s so much more personal. I actually sent my sister a little “care package” the other week full of clothes. It was a nice surprise for her. She enjoyed opening the big box full of goodies
Love this post!
-Amber
http://beautyguide101.blogspot.com/
Oh!! Sooo wooooonderful photos!! Adorable!! <3
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I love this post! I personally love handwritten letters and have a habit of keeping letters from my favorite friends or cousins for years. There is something special about it and I don’t think technology can duplicate that feeling. My cousins used to send us lengthy letters like 18 pages (front and back) and that always used to put a smile on my face. Miss those days.Great post! I use email more these days but I also send handwritten letters
xx
Heel in Mint
This is a beautiful tribute to your father.
my dear you look gorgeous amazing pics, i’d love to follow each other via bloglovin many kisses from,
http://littlefashionwhitelies.blogspot.gr/
Great post!
I love getting letters and cards in the mail. You’ve inspired me to mail out some hellos!
Oohh Dale, those photos of you and your dad and family from your childhood are soo precious!
I like this idea of sending a letter in the mail. I think i will have to do this soon for my parents! miss them like crazy now!!!
xo
http://daydreamveronica.blogspot.com.au/
Sweet post!
Love your blog! I’m following you back.
Kisses
http://www.insofiashoes.blogspot.pt
First, thank you so much for visiting me and leaving a comment. So sweet and appreciative of it! Second, boy you have a way with words and pics mixed in with the memories of your dad that just made my eyes tear! How totally awesome that you have such a great relationship with your father! Something I kinda missed out on!
I totally hear you on the letter writing thing. Someone just sent me a picture in the mail the other day and just holding that picture just gave me such a shock and realization that we have become a nation and generation of gazing at pictures on a screen rather than holding a real photo! Such a different feel! Nowadays when even birthday invites are e-vites its a shame that we all seem to have forgotten the art of letter writing!
Pick up a pen everyone and write a note to a loved one and mail it today!
Love your blog. Following now!
http://danaslookbook.blogspot.com/
XOXO Dana
great post. i do both
xo
glamDevils
ahhh love this post!!
xofemke.
http://www.myfashion-expression.blogspot.com
Loving the post! Wonderful pearls of truth that apply to our time.Sample Letters
I’m so touched by just looking at your younger days picture. I had a great time with my Dad last weekend for Father’s Day too. I browsed through our photo albums and started to have tears in my eyes! =( Seems like my parents are getting older day by day and we, as kids should really spend quality times with them =)
Where I’m from, trust me, it’s a long way to go for us to fully go electronic. Mailing, parcels and non-electronic records are still very much a favourite choice here.
Wow! Great post! I still love the old way of posting mails. It’s more romantic
Great the idea of the pics..
Thanks to follow , i’m following you back!
xxx
http://follementefashion.blogspot.com
Oh gosh, what a sweet tribute to your dad
I love my dad for all his daddiness (even when it irritates me sometimes) as well 
Lovely photos, and I still do post mail sometimes!
- Che
style-che.blogspot.com
hi darling!!!
love your blog and your post;)
thanks for stopping by on my blog and for follow me!
i follow you back now;))
kisses ,AMY
THE FASHIONAMY BLOG
I’m still a fan of the old fashioned thank you letters so Post Office all the way is my vote! The fun run pic really cracked me up, BTW. LOL
I’d love for you to check out my post today on Waterfall Braids 
http://www.winetastegirl.com
I LOVE this post, first your family is adorable and second I’m a huge fan of picking up fun stationary at least once a month and sending letters to friends and family…I actually wish that I could open my mailbox today and have a letter instead of bills haha!
Brooke @ what2wear
Great post!Unfortunately I coomunicate only electronically but I’d love to have a penpal again as when I was a child
xo
Anastasia
P.S:Have a look at my latest post!
http://natbeesfashion.blogspot.co.uk/
I’m with your dad, all the way, on this one! I don’t pay bills online. I mail them with my handwritten name and address! :-] And I’m known as a girl that definitely sends a card to say thank you, or with sympathy or please get well soon. I don’t care what the tech savvy people say….there’s nothing like a handwritten card or letter….NOTHING!…That being said, there’s also nothing like the quick response, day to day, with friends. Soooo….let’s just keep ALL communications on the table, and in the mailbox…shall we?! ^_^
Hi Dale,
This has to be hands down the sweetest blog post I’ve read. The pictures are precious and what a beautiful family. I was just cleaning out some drawers in my house and came upon a few note cards and thought to myself…I should send a card or two. I love stationary and sending a little smile in the mail “just because” It is a shame to see what technology has done to the postal service…tech is great with all the gadgets and what nots, but the communication break down among the younger generation is just that…a break down. I remember writing notes in class and feeling the excitement of getting one back. Did you ever get one in school that was folded in a way I can’t even remember and then tuck it all back together? I’m an 80′s chic and in the 90′s we did this all the time in school…I think they still do now? Anyway…This post will inspire me to send those cards I stumbled upon…for the record…I still write a few checks here and there…
Have a great day!
Hugs.
Lola
Adore the pictures in the leaves and you as your Dad! What a sweet way to honor your Dad.
I agree about writing handwritten notes. I remember growing up in school and writing notes to my friends and vice versa. I still have a few of those notes. Very few people do it but it’s super easy to do and more personal. I would love to receive a handwritten note from my family and friends instead of an email or text message. You’re right, if I do it first, it might start a new trend.
Dale,
great post and yes I mail letters .. but we also pay bills on line. love the photos with you and your Dad
This was the sweetest post ever! I loved all of your childhood pics. Absolutely darling!
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Great pictures!
I have a long time to send a letter…
What a lovely post! I still send cards and some letters by post (bills online) and there’s nothing better than a handwritten letter or thank you card!
http://missbbobochic.blogspot.co.uk/
this is such a sweet post !!
xx,
Meelena
http://www.TheSerialShopper.blogspot.com
Your adorable family is perfectly proportioned – 3 guys and 3 girls. In response to the posed question, I still mail letters and cards the traditional way.
Dale! I love this post. I am also a fan of your dad. He was one of the best coaches I ever had growing up playing basketball with Jody. I love that you also support USPS and posting about sending Mail. I am a papercrafter these days. I alone send atleast 10 pieces of mail a week. You should see me at christmas time, I send 80 Handmade cards… well Christmas isnt the only holiday… I send mail almost all holidays.
So thank you. This made my day!!