I kept them like I knew that one day he might stop writing to me. Even before we tied the knot, my partner would always write to me whether he was around or not. He is good with words, and he loves to write. He’s very creative and could craft heart-wrenching words out of anything. Whenever he wrote to me, the letter always came with a thoughtful gift that made me go head over heels.
Over time, I hoarded these papers to the point where they looked like clutter. I folded and hid them in this little box to avoid littering the shelf. Yet, every time I open them, they bring back memories of when he was crazily in love with me. Now, there’s so much responsibility and hardly have any time for love letters.
Actually, those words on these papers always give me strength, especially when I’m too angry with him. Reading his handwriting and seeing the words he once used to profess his love to me gives me an unimaginable sense of nostalgia. I’ve grown so attached to them that, in many ways, they now speak in place of his current silence.
These days, he no longer writes. It’s always about work, responsibilities and his phone. There’s little time left for me as there once was. So, I draw strength from those words on the pages to keep me going. His letters are filled with emotion, love, and deep affirmation. He poured his heart into every line intentionally.
You might think he lived in another city back then, that's why he wrote so often. Oh no! Even as we lived together, he still wrote me letters a few times. He knew I loved reading them, and he loved writing to me. It was our unique love language.
Another possession I hold dearly is a necklace from the States Museum, crafted with delicate simplicity. He gifted it to me on the day he proposed. I can never forget the glow on his face when I said “yes.” It felt as though he wanted to give me the whole world. I’ve received many things from him, but this necklace stood out. What impressed me more was its timeless versatility. I hope to pass it on to my future daughter one day, or gift it to my son to present to his wife. I would love to watch him gift it the way his father once did to me, hahaha! That would really make an unmatchable memory.
These items do not contradict my minimalist lifestyle, absolutely not! One thing I have realised is that minimalism isn’t about rejecting sentimental value or memories or owning nothing. It’s about keeping what truly matters to you. Those letters and the necklace carry profound emotional weight and unforgettable memories. I could never trade them for dust. They are meaningful clutter, not meaningless clutter. And they align perfectly with the life I’ve chosen to live. They are indeed "treasures that time can't touch"
