Um, what? September is already here? I feel like the Fourth of July was just yesterday! Does anyone else feel like this summer season flew by too quickly? I know it did for me. In a blink of an eye, friends were married, birthdays happened, and a few friends welcomed some new babies into their lives. I realized that even though I made phone calls or text messages, that I never celebrated any of these moments properly by sending a card.

Okay, I’m not going to get all Martha Stewart on you, but there is something to be said about sending snail mail cards in the mail to your loved ones. 

I know whenever I recieve one that it brings a ginormous smile to my face. I promptly put it on my fridge underneath a magnet, and keep it there for at least two months. 

My mailman knows me quite well, and always shoots me a big smile when he is bringing me super special mail (aka something other than bills and advertisements.)

Greeting cards are such a simple yet effective and warm way of reaching out to a friend. 

I used to pride myself on sending cards to loved ones, and then life just got busy.

That needs to be a new swear-word.

B.U.S.Y.

Tall Dad and I interviewed the hosts of One Extraordinary Marriage on ParentCast a few weeks back, and they told us that we all too often use the excuse of being “busy” to not invest in our relationships. Work, commitments, kids activities…you name it. Our lives are filled to the brim, which often leads to our relationships taking the backseat.

Well, I am taking a page out of the DiLorenzo’s book, and saying goodbye to this “busy” excuse. It’s time to stop and smell the roses, starting with letting my loved ones know that I care about them – even through something as simple as a card.

So one Sunday morning, I got lost in the greeting card isle at Walmart.

Seeing the Hallmark logo made me chuckle. Remember the commercials they made, over twenty years ago now, showing card recipients looking at the back of the card to make sure it had the Hallmark crown? 

It made many people turn into a bit of a card snob, especially my brother.

I remember him looking at every card any of us received for years, checking the back and either saying – “Oh good, they got you a Hallmark card,” or worse, rolling his young eyes when the card did not have the crown on the back.

It may sound silly, but I now always check the back of cards when I purchase them. 

The new Hallmark Value Cards are perfect for me, and my wallet – because they are only $0.47 or $0.97 each! I had some cards I really needed to get – and I also was able to afford to pick up several more. This way I’m prepared for any situation that comes my way and needs a card.

Plus, if you sign up for the Hallmark Card Rewards program, you can earn rewards for the Hallmark cards you buy at Walmart. For every 5 cards you buy, you’ll earn a reward. You spread love and joy through you cards, and you earn a reward. Winner winner chicken dinner! Learn more – here.

I spent the rest of that Sunday morning having a cup of tea and finally writing out my letters to my loved ones. Babies, birthdays, and even some”just because.”

Here’s my question for you, Dear Reader. 
When was the last time you got a card in the mail? 
Do you feel like you could use a pick me up? 
Maybe pay it forward and send a loved one a card – who knows, you might get one back!
Hope you’re having a lovely end to your summer, and fantastic beginning of the school year for those of you sending your little ones off to school – or if you’re involved in education yourself!  
Talk soon friends,

PS…
To sign up for Hallmark Rewards, and to see great content from other bloggers – join the #ValueCards conversation on Twitter!

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