How many of us still hand write our correspondence? How about our love letters?
Last month a letter written by Napolean to his beloved Josephine reputedly sold for 276,000 pounds (556,000 USD or 409,000 euros). In the letter he wrote:
"I send you three kisses — one on your heart, one on your mouth and one on your eyes."
I myself barely manage to scrawl a few lines in a card on our wedding anniversary.
The last time I penned a letter to my love was, I think, nearly fifteen years ago, when we were travelling separately through Europe. Before parting in Canada, we decided to "see other people" — actually, it was more my idea than his, the imagined muted clang of wedding bells throwing me into a tailspin — and he took the opportunity to barrage me with letters while I traipsed hither and yon.
I have the letters still. Several years ago they survived a flood while they were in my grandfather's keeping — I was gallivanting around Europe again, this time with my beau in tow — thanks to my mother who took it upon herself to dry every single sheet. She has photos of the collection carefully laid out throughout her living room and dining room. I shudder to think of the hours she spent perusing the contents. I wonder if that's why I no longer put pen to paper. Less evidence.
I do, however, send my husband emails when he's abroad, each sealed with a kiss — or rather "sent" with a kiss — by way of the letter "X". I sometimes throw in an odd "O" (hug) as well. Do you seal/send your letters/emails with a kiss? And do you have a collection of love letters (hard copies, that is)? Do you intend to hold on to them? Perhaps bequeath them to your children or grandchildren?
I figure it's bad enough that my mother has read the outpourings of my husband's love. I can't imagine passing the missives on to my daughter.
Labels: Eva
1. India Grey's The Italian's Defiant Mistress, currently available in the UK (those of us in North America must wait a few more agonizing months).
2. 
