// PAPER LOVE // Wear pink again...

My grandmother (Leslie writing here) used to love to tell the story about how her mother wore pink to her wedding. My great-grandmother had been in mourning after the loss of her son in World War II. The ritual of wearing black was common and my great-grandmother wore only that color for months and months. It wasn’t until a full year after the war had ended, when there was cause for great celebration, her daughter’s wedding, that she put on a pink dress. 

I recently found a letter my grandfather had sent after 9/11. He likened the experience my generation had after the tragedy, a certain awakening, to the one his generation had felt after Pearl Harbor. He tried to encourage me that our country would prevail, and always had during times of crisis. The wisdom he shared those many years ago is not lost on me today as I reflect on our current world. My grandfather liked to type up his letters on the computer, and then print them out. Then he would sign his name. He was very adept at email, but knew that there was something about having a letter sent to you, especially during times of significance.

These past few weeks we have all had more time on our hands. I recently went through a box (ok, I actually have boxes) of old letters. There are notes from my husband when we were engaged. Letters from my college roommate and those from my grandmother and my beloved great aunt. I have greeting cards from the birth of my children, and drawings sent home from summer camp. 

We have all had to press pause these past couple of weeks. Many of our brides are postponing their weddings. The graduation party I have been planning for my son may or may not happen. I try to take solace in the little things. Time to pick up that needlepoint project. Board games with my boys. Long walks with my dog who is loving all of the attention. And I have set a personal goal to send one piece of snail mail a day. Since we can’t see each other face to face, I think it is a great time to try and connect through letters and cards. When it is time for us to gather together again, If It’s Paper will be here to help you with those invitations, party napkins, or finding the perfect hostess gift. We will rejoice in one another and when that first party takes place, I, for one, will be wearing pink.