Take the extra minute

I was asked to participate in the #HallmarkAtWalgreens campaign, sponsored by Hallmark at Walgreens. Although I have been compensated, all opinions are my own.

by Amy Nicole Photography

Yesterday was my sweet mama’s birthday.  It’s been a really awesome year for us.  Over the years our relationship has grown and changed, some years more awesome than others, but I think this year has been my favorite.  

You may not know this, but All She Wrote Notes is actually named in honor of my mom.  We grew up in the south and she’s the definition of southern hospitality.  When she would tell a story or we would need to wrap up a task, she would always say “that’s all she wrote!”  She will be the first to tell you that she doesn’t like to write so she looks for cards that say the words she can't, but she knows it's her words that are the most special to me.  She is the mother of three very different children but she knows how to love each of us in our own unique way.  She loves to cook and she’s been told that serving people must be her love language.  But she knows that her words matter more than anything to me. No matter how busy she gets; she always takes an extra minute to do something for us.  

I can think of SO many moments in my life where I got a letter or a card in the mail filled with her beautiful left-handed signature script and she poured out words of love and encouragement.  I’ve saved every one to read again and again.  That’s what I love about a handwritten note.  It has the power to evoke those same feelings, emotions, encouragement or memories each and every time I read it, I can hear it in her voice.  

Even though I make cards for a living, I think it's important to actually take the extra minute to go out shopping and buy a really nice and special card for my Mom. I like that it helps to set the holiday apart from all the rest.  Hands down, my favorite place to shop for cards is Walgreens.  They have a HUGE selection of Hallmark cards and I could spend all day looking, reading and giggling at every one.  Time after time, my favorite line of cards is the Hallmark Signature cards since they are next-level when it comes to special details.  No matter how long I spend looking, it seems like I always choose one of these.

My mom was also the first person to teach me about hand lettering, and she probably doesn’t even realize it.  Since they chose to spell my name M-a-g-h-o-n, I grew up never being able to find anything personalized.  I would run up to the souvenir stand and spin and spin looking for one of those personalized keychains or one of those super cool license plates with the names on them.  I’ve yet to find one.  But my mom would buy the coolest paint markers and write out my name in all caps with the little dots on each corner with care.  She would then take another color and go back and accent each and every little dot.  Creating something beautiful and unique just for me whether it was on my pencil box at school or a brown paper bag turned from drab to fab for a field trip lunch.  She always took the extra minute to make me feel special. 

 

Not only did she step up over and over again throughout the end of my pregnancy and lend a hand, she loved me and prayed for me and encouraged me when things were really hard.  At Christmastime when we were shipping out hundreds of orders a day, she was right here with me every day when she got off work, helping me navigate around a 30 week pregnant belly when I just couldn’t anymore.  She dove in and got so excited with me about each and every order and our mission to spread happiness through my handwriting.  It gave me so much joy to see her take the extra minute to sprinkle confetti and to tie hot pink tulle ribbon (way better than I can) on each and every order.  

When I was in the hospital getting ready to give birth to Vance, I had originally not wanted anyone else in the room.  As things progressed, I changed my mind and she came in there with me and gave Chris a bit of a break.  Those 2 hours were some of the most special minutes I’ve ever had.  I wouldn’t change a thing.  She kept telling me how proud she was of me.  And no matter how old I get, that will always be an amazing feeling.  To know you’re making your mama proud.  

Becoming a mom this year has made me finally realize for the first time just how much my mom truly loves me. It’s one of those things you hear all the time and think “of course she loves me, she has to, I’m her daughter!”  But the feelings I have for our sweet little baby are the strongest I’ve ever felt.  It makes me think back on all the years that I’ve certainly tested her patience but I know without a doubt that that kind of love doesn’t just go away.  She loved me through it all.  

And watching her become a Granna to Vance has been the greatest gift.  My parents were born to be grandparents. They are helping me watch him each week so that I can still continue teaching calligraphy and I couldn’t be more grateful.  Even after 30 years, she’s always taking the extra minutes to do something for me. 


by Amy Nicole Photography

Every time I teach a calligraphy or hand lettering class I always wrap it up by telling my students that someone’s name is their very favorite word.  No matter how old they get, they light up when they see it written pretty (or if they’re lucky enough to find it on a souvenir).  I think back to how special it made me feel when my Mama wrote mine.  I write their names for them and encourage them to give that gift to someone else.  I always say it only takes a minute to make someone’s day.  

I can't wait to make my mom's day with THIS card from the Hallmark Signature line.  She and I are both obsessed with taking a bubble bath to wind down at the end of the day.  I looked at lots of beautiful cards, but when I spotted this one, I knew it was it right away! They joke that your kids don't ever leave you alone in the bathroom and while I am not at that stage yet, I know I am 100% guilty of that with my mom, so I am sure she enjoys finally getting to relax and unwind these days.  

This week is mother’s day and If you’re lucky enough to have someone in your life that’s given you their extra minutes over the years, I hope you will do something special for them. Take the time to write her a card or give her a call and tell her just how special she is.  You won’t ever regret taking the extra minute.  

 

Now I would love to hear from you!  What kind of Hallmark cards do you like to buy for your mom?  Do you have any happy memories with handwritten notes? Comment on my Facebook post for a chance to win $50 to Walgreens! All you need to do is share ONE of your favorite memories with your sweet mama or special woman in your life.  Extra excitement if you include a photo. 

 

#HallmarkAtWalgreens Mother’s Day Facebook Feels Sweepstakes

No Purchase Necessary. Void where prohibited. Open to legal residents of 50 United States and DC who are 18 years and older at time of entry. Promotion starts on 5/1/17 at 9:00 AM ET and ends on 5/12/17 at 11:59:59 PM ET

that’s all she wrote, 

 

 

This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Walgreens. The opinions and text are all mine.


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