Welcome to the Diary
Looking to see the impact your love letters are making? You can find it here! We keep this space stocked with all the updates, encouragement + good news happening in our community! Be sure to bookmark this page and come back and visit us whenever you need a little boost!
In February, our community collected love letters for Denika— a new mom to a beautiful little girl who’d just found out her dad had an aggressive form of brain cancer.
Her facilitator, a close friend, sent along a sweet testimonial we couldn’t resist sending your way!
In October 2023, we shared the story of Katie— a young woman who recently lost her father and was nominated to receive a Love Letter Bundle from her friend Cass. Katie comes from a big family and her friend described her as “tenacious and kind,” yet shy and hard on herself.
October was Katie’s birthday month, and we really wanted to make it extra memorable for her.
In October 2023, we collected love letters for Steven.
In case you need the refresher, Steven lost his wife a little over a year ago after 64 years of marriage. His daughter nominated him to receive a Love Letter Bundle— especially because Steven looks forward to getting the mail every day.
Well, it’s no surprise to us (since you’re amazing in every way), but this community showed up for Steven in a big way.
May is the perfect month to celebrate the incredible women in our lives, and this May, you sent encouragement in droves to someone who couldn’t be more deserving of it.
This spring, we had the opportunity to encourage Lydia - a recent high school graduate in need of some light.
“The process of being involved in the letters is really something, I want to say akin to magic.”
Samantha is the brightest rock star who needed a reminder that there’s still some good and kindness in the world.
Amy needed a reminder that she wasn’t alone - that there is still space for light and hope.
Your letters were that reminder.
It’s never easy to be far from the ones you love, especially when life is doling out intense pressure everywhere you turn. This March, you showed up to encourage Ghazal and remind her just how loved she is.
Ryan needed encouragement as he worked tirelessly to get his family back on their feet. And in classic MLL fashion, you delivered.
This March, we had the opportunity to encourage Lyn—a wonderful woman who needed a reminder of how much value she brings to the world.
Sometimes, the letter writer needs a turn to be the one with a full mailbox.
Brenda’s niece, Kaitlyn, nominated her aunt for a love letter bundle as a part of the 12 Days of Love Letters campaign. Like us, Brenda is a letter writer. Kaitlyn wrote us to share her aunt’s story.
This holiday season, you wrote from all across the globe to encourage Jane - a woman struggling under the weight of anxiety and grief.
This February, you sent over 140 letters filled with love to Belgium to remind someone that even strong people deserve to be taken care of.
Jane was nominated for the 12 Days of Love Letters by her daughter, Karen.
Karen wrote to us to share her mom’s story.
This holiday season, you encouraged Ed as he walks through one of the most painful heartbreaks imaginable. This past October, Ed lost the love of his life - his best friend. They had been married for 61 years.
Sometimes, we all need the words of someone who cares to act as our lifeboat. This holiday season, you gave Ricky the encouragement that he needs to carry him through the new year.
This November, we collected love letters for Tali— a young woman trying desperately to remember her purpose and rediscover her joy.
Change is never easy. This past February, you all helped make a hard season a little lighter for a very special person.
This August, we collected love letters for Leana— a mom who has walked through the unimaginable.
Caitlin nominated her dear friend Melissa for a Love Letter Bundle this past May. Earlier in the year, Melissa had moved across the country to Chicago for a new job after spending the past decade in Los Angeles. One major factor in saying yes to such a big decision was the appeal of being closer to family. Then in March, Melissa lost her father to his extended battle with cancer. He had survived well past his initial prognoses, but his passing was very sudden. You all SHOWED UP for her - and it meant the world.
In May, we collected love letters for Matthew— a 12-year-old boy who has done a lot of growing up in the past year. With his older brother battling cancer, Matthew has been holding down the fort at home. Matthew received more than 300 letters, 25 packages, and 5 letters from around the world including....(drum roll)...Italy, Ireland, Germany, New Zealand, Canada, and the Philippines.
When my sister ́s letter request was posted in February, I was jittery with excitement. But I didn’t actually realize what was happening until I got the first letter out of our mailbox.
As of yesterday, 169 letters have come in, from around 24 states and 3 countries (New Zealand, Canada, Australia)!
Asking for Help
I realized that there is strength in asking for help, and that interdependence, community, and trust is the true mark of self-reliance.
Wellness Is Possible
When you find yourself succumbing to the lie that wellness is not possible, that you have no way out of all the despair, know this: you are not alone in your battle, and you are worth fighting for. Asking for help is not weakness, it is strength in itself. Find your life raft. I promise it’s there. Depression doesn’t have to win.
Sitting with hard emotions.
Hard feelings look different for everyone. For some, it’s paralyzing; you feel like your brain is put on pause from too many thoughts flying around. For some, it can manifest as physiological symptoms: headaches, stomachaches, fatigue, insomnia.
Mental Health in the Black Community
We now live in a society where seeking mental help is normalizing and accepting. However, mental health in the Black community is neglected a lot. It is looked down upon to go to counseling or talk to a therapist.
Depression: The Gift Disguised as a Diagnosis
I used to wonder this on the daily, feeling that diagnosis heavy on my forehead. I wore the bitterness and helplessness of that very question for so long. Depression became my identity everywhere I went, wondering if people saw it in big bold letters too.
Guys aren't supposed to have anxiety disorders.
Guys aren’t supposed to have anxiety disorders. They’re supposed to be logical and analytical. Stoic and serene and somehow bold at the same time. Confident in everything they believe in. Self-assured. 6’5’’ and ripped.
But I’m a guy, and I’m practically none of those things.
A Mental Health Survival Guide.
You’re gonna find a way to make things work, and even though it might take a little while, your life is going to become brighter than you ever thought it could.
3 Ways to Cultivate Healthy Relationship While Navigating Depression & Anxiety
Our wounds don’t disqualify us from being vulnerable, loving our partner well, or doing relationships in a healthy way. Facing off with depression and anxiety together simply provides a path to cultivating a healthy connection. No victim mentality here. We’ve learned to see mental health issues as a gift, an opportunity, and we both give and receive. It's not about me; it’s about we.
Throughout the holiday season, you rallied for Nic- a newly retired veteran who’d served in multiple combat deployments and was awaiting surgery in December.
While we were away on hiatus, we got an update from Nic’s wife and are thrilled to report that over 290 love letters showed up for Nic.