If you haven’t gotten a letter from your friend in a while, you can send a letter to ask if everything is alright or to find out if things have been busy for them.
For example, if you’ve been writing a lot back and forth, including the date is useful so you can tell if they’re responding to a letter that you recently sent them.
If you don’t think you’ll be able to fit everything you want to say in a card, use note paper, lined paper or some smart/Pretty stationery. This way you can add extra sheets.
Hello, Joanne! Hi, Jo Dear Joanne Dearest Jo
“I hope this letter finds you well. " “Thank you for your last letter. " “I know it’s been a while since I’ve written to you. " “There’s so much I need to share with you!”
For example, you might write 2 to 3 paragraphs about a trip you took over spring break. Then write af paragraph about what you’ve been doing since then. If you’re unsure of what you can write about, keep it simple. For example, tell your friend about a movie you’ve seen or a book you’ve been reading.
If your friend hasn’t written for a while, acknowledge that you haven’t heard from them lately and you’re wondering how they’re doing. For example, you might write, “Last time you wrote, you said you’d been feeling poorly. Have you gone to the doctor or are you feeling better?”
For example, say something like, “Now that you know what’s been going on, how do you think I should handle my family coming into town?” If you’re unsure what to ask, you can keep it generic. For example, write, “What’s been happening lately with you? Is there anything new to report?”
The tone of the letter should match what you’re writing about. So if you’re writing about a fun holiday you took, keep the writing happy. However, if you’re writing a letter of condolence, be supportive and more serious.
For example, if you’ve been away, finish with, “It’s been a lot of fun, but it’d be even more fun if you were here. I’m looking forward to seeing you once I get home!” If you and your friend have been having a disagreement, write something like, “I know we’re in a tough patch now, but I want you to know that I’m grateful we’re working through this. ”
Yours truly, With love, Hugs and kisses, Fondly, Take care, Cheers,
You’ll also want to check your letter to ensure that everything you say makes sense. Remember that your tone of voice can be difficult to translate via writing, so be careful that what you say is clear and won’t be misinterpreted.
If your friend is living in another country, be sure to include the name of the country in the address. You don’t need to use a formal prefix like “Mr. " or “Mrs. " on an informal letter, but you can if you’d like.
You may be able to leave the letter in your mail box. This usually means that you’ll need to raise the small red flag on the side of the box to alert the mail carrier that there’s a letter to pick up. If you’re including anything else in the letter or it’s extra thick, go to the post office and have it weighed before sending it.
