For Gwyn’s 16th birthday, we wanted to give her something that completely spoke to one of her top love languages, words of affirmation. The idea came from one of the most endearing things about her: Gwyn has kept just about every card she has ever received. So we knew exactly what her ultimate gift had to be, a book filled with letters and photos from the people who love her most. If this is something you would like to make for a loved one, I have linked the main materials below.
About a month before Gwyn’s birthday, I started reaching out to grandparents, aunts and uncles, friends, teachers, spiritual mentors, coaches, anyone who has been a meaningful part of her life, and asked if they’d be willing to be part of a very special project. Without hesitation, everyone agreed. We actually ended up with more than the intended 16, which is a testament to the kind of person Gwyn is; loved by so many.
Everyone had about a month to get their letters back to me, and I kept the process as easy as possible. They could return their letter by mail, email, text, or if they preferred, we could arrange a time for pickup. I also asked each person to send me their favorite photo of themselves with Gwyn. And if a photo like that didn’t exist, I quietly arranged to make it happen without Gwyn ever suspecting a thing.
To give myself a little breathing room, I set the “due date” for everything about a week before I actually needed to have the book finished which allowed me the time to sit down, spread everything out, and actually enjoy putting it all together.
For the decorating of the book, I made a trip to Hobby Lobby and picked up some pretty paper, biblical stickers, washi tape, and pearl stickers. Laying out each page, choosing what went where, adding little touches of decoration, it felt less like a project and more like an act of love.
She said this is her favorite gift she has ever received and I can tell from the amount of times she has already flipped through the pages that she will be reading and cherishing these letters over and over and over.
Happy Sweet 16, Gwynnie Girl! You are SO loved!
The main items I used are linked below, and everything else I picked up at Hobby Lobby.
As always, I am so glad you are here.
<3 Shannon
