{celebrations : letters & emma friends}

"until further notice, celebrate EVERYTHING!"--pinterest

letter writing is a lost art.  it's one of those things that you don't have time to do, never think to do, and wouldn't know what to say even if you did...but when someone sends you a little note via the postman, it's a definite day changer.

in our rocky yet wonderful transition from missouri to florida the kids and i have gotten into the habit of writing quite a few letters to all the people we miss back home.  and you know?  it's been really fun.  when we first started my 10 year old didn't know how to address an envelope...or that sending a letter required a stamp:)  it's been such a cool teaching tool but more than that...it's such a simple and easy way to bless someone who's far away.  jae's got a few pen pals back in missouri now and even has her own lil stash of stamps and envelopes...i'm so glad that letter writing has been revived in our lives!  because seriously, it only costs 44 cents and can change the world.

the most recent letter we've received was a thank you letter from emma, jae's best friend back "home".

here's the backstory--emma is j's best friend from missouri.  they have been kindred spirits for sooooo long.  emma turned nine last week and it was her very first birthday that she's celebrated without jaeda. it was a sad day for both girls.  birthdays in kansas city always started with a trip to the grocery for donuts and shatto milk with our friends.  we'd parade through the old people and sit in the grocery cafe with our wild kiddos.  we'd put our extra long straws straight into the chocolate milk jug and took turns taking sips.  we were a chocolate sprinkle donut mess--everytime.  and i loved. every. minute.

so we didn't get to do donuts on em's birthday this year but you better believe we celebrated in florida without her.  because around these parts...birthdays are trumped ONLY by christmas.  trust me--fourth of july pales in comparison.  i so love to celebrate people and didn't want jae to miss out on celebrating one of her very favorite people...so for em's 9th birthday we celebrated emma well!  we wrote emma letters, drew her pictures, wrapped her gifts, danced to her favorite songs, made her a cake (and blew out her 9 candles), we took a "who knows emma best" quiz, we watched em's favorite movie and enjoyed her favorite snack...buttery popcorn!  it was a fun night...not as fun as it would have been WITH her but way better than nothing:)  see? even missing a birthday party can be fun;)

a few days after we celebrated emma day from afar we received this letter in the mail from that sweet, sweet girl:

(spelling and punctuation all emma's)

Dear, The Dickens,
I would send you all a piece of cookie cake right now.  But it's as hard as rock.  When are you guys coming back? Please do not say in a long time.  There is no fun around here.  I want the passes of Oceans of fun and Worlds of Fun to be for all of us!   Those cards you send were like an art gallery!  Lexi and Jaeda, you are outstanding artists and I mean it!  Eric or Ucky <what she called eric when she was a baby> you need to work on your art skills a lot!!  I am so blessed that God carefully picked out our beautiful family.  I have never met a more "Go for it" family.  I miss you so much!  And love you like  family.
Love,
Emma <3

hands down one of the best letters EVER!  jae's bff is one special girl.  and the friendship we have with that perry family is solid gold.

today...i'm celebrating friends that feel like family--emma friends.  oh and letters.  what are you celebrating???