I’m always looking for ways to create and keep memories, but don’t want it to be complicated. If you’ve ever wanted an easy way to journal family history – without feeling overwhelmed or needing a fancy system – this hack is it.
One of my favorite things I do for my kids each year is write them a letter.
Just one letter. Once a year. That’s it.
It’s simple, meaningful, not time consuming, and honestly one of my most favorite and special things I do for my kids each year. And since the written word is my self-proclaimed love language, this feels like such a natural way for me to show my love to them.
WHY I WRITE A YEARLY LETTER TO EACH CHILD
Life moves fast. Kids grow quickly. And so many of the little things we love about them right now can fade from memory if we don’t take just a minute to capture them.
This yearly letter is my way of slowing down and saying, “I see you. I know you. I love you.”
It’s also such a sweet way to document family history for all of us—not through dates and timelines, but through love, personality, and real life.
WHAT I INCLUDE IN EACH LETTER
There’s no right or wrong way to do this, but here are a few things I like to include every year:
- Special strengths and characteristics I see in them
- Accomplishments they’ve had during the past year (some big and some small)
- Fun memories – things they’ve done individually or what we’ve done together as a family
- A reminder of how deep my love runs for them
- And how much their Heavenly Father loves them too
I want the letter to feel personal and buoy them up. Like a snapshot of who they are right now and hopefully have it be another connection to me as they get older.
WHY THIS MATTERS (NOW AND LATER)
When I write these letters, I always imagine my kids reading them someday. And that might be when they are much older.
But I picture them opening them when they are:
💌wanting to learn more about who they are
💌during times when they are making hard life decisions
💌times when they are struggling or going through something difficult
💌or simply needing a reminder of how much they are loved
I hope these letters feel like a big, warm hug. Something that grounds them, encourages them, and reminds them of their divine nature.
WHAT I DO WITH THE LETTERS ONCE COMPLETED
Once I’m done, I seal it up and put it in their memory box. You could also let your kids read the letter before saving it for later! Like I said before, there’s no wrong way to do this. Do what fits your family best.
One letter a year is one of those high impact, low effort actions. It doesn’t require a ton of time or maintenance from you, which I love. I’m hoping that one day, these letters will mean everything!
And I’d love to hear your best hack for journaling or storing memories!
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