Thinking of You Week: A Little Encouragement and the Words to Begin
Elizabeth Fanslow
Sometimes the nicest thing in the mailbox is a card you weren’t expecting. There’s no birthday coming up, no holiday to celebrate, no reason you can think of for someone to send you something. Yet there it is…your name in familiar handwriting and a few words from someone who wanted to say hello.
That’s the spirit of Thinking of You Week, an annual celebration of sending and receiving handwritten notes. This year, it takes place September 21–27, 2026, offering a lovely reminder to reach out to the people who make our lives meaningful.
At Be Amazing Paper Company, keeping handwritten notes alive is part of why we do what we do. We love beautiful paper, of course, but we also love what happens after it leaves our studio: someone chooses a card, writes a message, and sends a little kindness into someone else’s day.
If you’d like to participate in Thinking of You Week but aren’t sure what to write, you’re in good company. Sometimes we know exactly who we want to send a card to, but the blank space inside makes us pause. How do we begin? What if it sounds awkward? What if it’s been a long time?
A good place to start is with the reason that person came to mind. You don’t have to fill the whole card. A few sincere sentences can say quite a lot.
For a friend you haven’t talked to in a while
“I was thinking about you today and realized it’s been far too long since I told you hello. I hope you’re doing well. I’d love to catch up when you have a little time.”
You can make this more personal by mentioning a shared memory…the lunches you used to have, a trip you took together, or something that still makes you laugh.
For someone going through a difficult season
“You’ve been on my mind, and I wanted to send a little love your way. I know there’s a lot on your shoulders right now. There’s no need to write back; I just wanted you to know I care.”
When someone is struggling, you don’t have to find words that make everything better. A gentle acknowledgment can offer comfort without asking anything of them.
For a family member you miss
“I wish we could sit down together for a little while, but until then, I’m sending you a note and a whole lot of love. I miss you and hope we can make some time together soon.”
A small detail from your day can make the note feel like a conversation. Tell them what’s blooming, what you’re cooking, or what reminded you of home.
For someone whose kindness stayed with you
“I still think about how kind you were when I needed it. You may have thought it was a small thing, but it meant a great deal to me. I wanted you to know I haven’t forgotten.”
Thinking of You Week is a wonderful opportunity to thank someone for something you’ve carried quietly in your heart. Appreciation doesn’t have an expiration date.
For someone you simply enjoy having in your life
“No special occasion today. I just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy knowing you. You make ordinary days a little brighter, and I’m grateful our paths crossed.”
Sometimes this is the easiest message to overlook. We assume people know we appreciate them, but it’s still lovely to give them the words.
Make it easy to send the next one
Keeping a few notecards, envelopes, and stamps together can help you act on the thought while it’s fresh. Choose cards you enjoy sending and leave them somewhere easy to reach. When someone comes to mind, you’ll have what you need to begin.
For Thinking of You Week, start with one person and one note. There’s still time to put a little kindness in the mail, and the invitation doesn’t end when the week does.
If you need a few cards to keep on hand, explore the notecard collection at Be Amazing Paper Company. We’d love to help you find beautiful paper for the words only you can send.