Why should we write letters?

Dear Reader,

One of the most common responses I get when talking about LC has to be, "But can't we do that with text?" or,  "What's the point when we have phones?". Well, here's my explanation for why letters still have such a vital place in the world, even in the age of digitalized communication. 

Think about birthday cards, yearbook signings, love letters, or even any card for any occasion; there's a reason why people don't just send those messages over text. It just doesn't mean the same. Think about the process it takes to write a card to someone. You have to make time to go to the grocery store, purchase a card and envelope that matches the occasion and person, and then the most important part, write a heartfelt and detailed message. Whereas with a digitalized message, you open your phone, write "Happy Birthday!!!" and maybe a couple sweet words, and that's that. 

Besides cards for special occasions, letters especially take time and purposeful effort. As a highschooler, life is filled with AP classes, extracurriculars, and fitting in time to spend with friends and family too. Sitting down and intently deciding to write to a friend I haven't spoken to in a while takes a different kind of resolve. However, as soon as I start writing, I never regret it. I've been writing letters since around the fourth grade and I've since then found letter writing to be my source of reflection, documenting, sharing, and most importantly, connecting. Writing around three pages front and back takes me up to an hour or more of fruitful deliberation. I often write a summary of key events that'd happened in my life since I last wrote to them, how I'm feeling, what I'm looking forward to, and any songs or shows I'm obsessed with at that moment. I always end off with a bunch of questions for the recipient, whether that's following up with something from their letter to asking about their favorite grocery store. Imagine if you were to be the recipient of this letter? I'll put it in perspective; imagine we're best friends and we decide to start exchanging letters. To further the suspense, let's say we live in different states, so by the time I send off a letter, it'll take three days to a week to reach you. Now, by the time you recieve the long awaited correspondence and finish reading, you wish there was more. 

I liken waiting for the next letter to arrive to waiting for the next episode of your weekly series TV show to drop. The letter or the episode, both giving you an irreplaceable feeling of having something to look forward to. 

What's important to note is that I still highly value digitalized communication. If I need to reschedule lessons with my violin teacher or update the LC officers on important meeting details, I'm very appreciative that I have the ability to send a message instantly. The problem is, people often see communication as a one method only situation.  In reality and ideally, people utilize a wide variety of communication methods in their lives. There is no "superior" or "better" form of communication, they're all different. I use the analogy of silverware. Generally, there are forks for poking, spoons for scooping, and knives for cutting. Not to forget chopsticks, which can be used for a seemingly endless variety of purposes. No silverware is "better" than the other, although some like to debate, they each have their own purposes and depend on the individual as well. I prefer using chopsticks, but I still use forks, spoons, and knives. 

Similarly, each form of communication takes its own specialized purpose to one's own needs. 

When it comes to in person communication, nothing fills my social battery more than hanging out with loved ones, laughing together, and being able to use expressions and hand gestures as ways to additionally articulate what I have to say.

 For texts and emails, nothing is more convienient than being able to send important info at the blink of an eye. More often than not, going to see someone in person isn't the most efficient or practical way to communicate. If I'm confused on a homework question, I can't very well just go to my teacher's house, knock on their door, and demand they answer my question late at night depending on how much I procastinated. It doesn't work like that. In addition, as someone with a lot of long distance friendships, being able to message my friends online is vital for staying in touch and checking in on each other. During COVID, I strongly leaned on face times with my best friend in order to get through the social isolation we were all experiencing.  I also believe meeting people online, with proper precautions and reason, can be great ways to make new friends and form communities. I took an online art class in middle school and I met a lot of like minded artists my age who encouraged me to keep practicing and sharing my art. 

Lastly, we have letters, which I could liken as the "protists" of communication, but I believe they serve a higher purpose than just what you can't do with the two methods mentioned above. Sometimes, words or texts do a disservice to how we really feel; especially if you're not someone who can easily explain things on the spot. If you and your friend are in an argument, talking it out can be hard to properly convey what you mean and how you feel. For example, you might say things you don't mean, purely triggered by an emotional response to the hurt you may be experiencing, or on the other hand, your friend could interupt you, or steer the conversation in another direction, thus preventing you from adequately expressing your side. With letters, you're expressing how you feel in a calm, controlled, neutral enviroment where it's just you and your thoughts to speak for itself. No interruptions, no emotional knots, no miscommunications. I find it perfect for situations where you have a lot to say or for confrontations that require thought and time. On a similar note of sincerity but under a different premise, confessing feelings over a letter have to be one of the most classic and sweetest ways to go about the confession. I could go on about this but thankfully, officer Sophie B writes more about this in her article found here. Besides the serious, letters are one of the best ways to deepen any relationship and create space for vulnerability and honesty. Think about a friend you talk a lot to, but your connection is very surface level. You know their basic characteristics and what sports they play, but you couldn't answer what their most embarassing childhood moment was, or why they dislike sour fruit so much. Can you imagine going up to one of these friends and randomly asking them these questions? It'd be unusual and unlikely to happen. However, with letters, there's so much space to be open and talk about anything. Almost as if it's implied, mandated, that you divulge whatever seems to be on your mind, whether that be a deep rooted insecurity, or why the "passion" tea flavor by Tazo is the best. The point is, the value of letters is found within the beholder. No matter how you want to use letters, they're sure to meet you there halfway, offering you their diverse use and room to express whatever. For all our members at LC and everyone in general, we encourage taking up letter writing not to replace their main form of communication, but as a tool into unlocking deeper and more authentic relationships to last a lifetime.

Yours truly,

Ava Lim

P.S. I was able to get through LDR's, "Chemtrails Under The Country Club" album two and a half times writing this.