Letters to old friends

[mom2scouts]

Would you want to get a long newsy letter from old friends? Earlier there was a post about writing letters as something to do with so much time at home. I wrote a long letter to old friends telling what's up with us, but now I'm hesitant to send it for some reason. These are people we've known for 26 years. We used to do things with the couple, dh and the husband would do things together, they would invite us to use their pool with our children even if they weren't home. The last few years before they moved away, we didn't see them as often. They started attending another church and we were going through a family crisis and we just didn't see each other as much. After they moved to another state (about 14 years ago) we went and spent a weekend with them once which was wonderful. They moved again and we had a quick meet up with them when we were traveling through the area. That was about five years ago. They moved again last year and the wife posted something on an unrelated Facebook post about them moving again, so I sent her an email. She replied with their new address and told us we should visit some day. Since then, I'll sometimes shoot an email or quick note to the wife and she always responds, so it's not like they don't want anything to do with us. They're retired now and focusing on grandchildren and church activities. They're the kind of people who make tons of new friends everywhere they go. I'm the kind of person who makes a few friends and am picky about who I get close to. Would you be happy to get the letter or would you wonder why you were getting it from people you hadn't seen in years or worry that now you were obligated to respond? I don't know why I always overthink these kinds of things, but I do.

Edited August 24, 2020 by mom2scouts

[vonfirmath]

I'd love to get a long newsy letter and yes, I'd want to respond -- at least by picking up a phone and calling

 

[MercyA]

Send it! I love long newsy letters, even though I don't write them myself. 🙂 

You are absolutely right that you are overthinking this. (Says the person who has overthought a great many things.)

[Rosie_0801]

Their response is their decision to make, not yours. 🙂

[Ausmumof3]

I think you should send it for sure.  It’s not like you aren’t in touch at all and even if they don’t have time to get back to you at length they will enjoy the letter and reading what you’re up to and if you don’t send it your effort will be wasted 

[Catwoman]

I would be having the same thoughts you’re having, yet if I got a letter like that, I would be very happy that an old friend was thinking of me.

I think you should send it!  If you’re still not sure, you could plan to mail it at the end of the week, which would give you more time to make up your mind one way or the other. I would hate to think of you mailing it, and then regretting it later.

[vmsurbat1]

Absolutely send the letter!  Just don't take it personally if they don't respond in kind back.  I write long, newsy letters and rarely, rarely does anyone write back--so many people are used to communicating by phone  (either texts or calls),  I think they've lost the art of writing letters.  And, to be fair, writing a good newsy letter is a lot of work!  So, I'm happy to write and they are happy to receive.  And occasionally I get a text or call.  Win-win!

[Guest]

I would love to get a letter like that. Send it! 

[MEmama]

Yes!! Send the letter!!

Just last week I found my BFF from high school and wrote him a letter. We were once inseparable and he even moved half way across the country to be together, but now we haven’t been in touch at all in over 25 years. Anyway he was thrilled to hear from me and emailed back right away—I am positively giddy to have him back in my life. 
 

Since handwritten notes are a rarity and hard for many people (I hadn’t written one in over 20 years but all I had was a physical address for him), I would suggest including your email or phone number for texting in case they prefer to respond in a faster and more modern way. 🙂 

Also, if you think they might be intimidated by receiving too much news at once you might just keep it short and sweet. That way there’s no pressure on the recipient to respond with a novel of their own. The details can be filled in as your friendship is rekindled. 
 

[City Mouse]

If it is a personal letter then do send it. 

[Bambam]

I always enjoy getting letters/news from old friends that I haven't seen for a while. It brings back memories of good times with them.  I would definitely try to respond - probably email, but if things were really frantic here, I might forget.

I say send the letter! 

[mom2scouts]

Thanks, everyone. I put the letter in the mail today. I don't care if they write back, but I wouldn't be surprised to get some kind of response. The woman usually acknowledges any contact somehow, even if it's just a short email or Facebook comment. If they're thinking, "Why are these people still bothering us after all these years?"😂 at least they probably won't say that!

[Catwoman]

YAY!!! I’m glad you decided to mail it, and I’m sure they will be very happy to receive it!