An Elon Dance Major Shares Her New Obsession With Old Style Mail

Phoebe Crumbine’s headshot for her Dance major. (Photo given by Phoebe Crumbine.)

Phoebe Crumbine is a rising sophomore dance major at Elon University, and just like all of the other college students stuck ‘sheltering-in-place’ at home, she has been bored, irritated and, admittedly, lonely. Ironically, she’s not alone in this feeling. Many people in the world are experiencing the negative effects of isolation during the coronavirus pandemic, and processing these feelings during this uncertain time is helpful and necessary. And one convenient, simple way to do that: Snail Mail. 

Yep, the old fashioned, written, stamped letter kind. An old soul, Crumbine said, “I have always loved physical letters. I have a journal that I write in every night and I keep some of the letters that mean most to me in the front cover. This made me realize how much letters meant to me and thought others might find happiness in them too.”

So, she suggested a letter exchange to her fellow dance majors at Elon despite her hesitancy that no one would be interested. The response was quite the opposite of that actually.

“As always, these wonderful people surprised me by the overwhelming support and interest in the idea,” she said. “After I figured out I was going to use a name generator and a spreadsheet for everybody’s addresses, it did not take long for me to put it all together.”

Dancers thrive off of connection in the studio and out of the studio, she said. From the brief conversations and virtual classes, she could tell the dancers were missing that close, family-like connection they’re used to on campus. The dance majors are like a family away from home in the ways they care for one another and offer sentimental support to each other.   

Right now, there are about 40 people participating in Crumbine’s letter exchange. 

Phoebe’s journal that she writes in nightly, and stores her most important letters. (Photo given by Phoebe Crumbine.)

“The thing I have heard most from people is that it was just the thing that everybody did not know they needed,” she said. “It has really kept our love and support for each other alive during this time.” And it was easy, she said. “I got the idea to use a random generator when I decided I wanted to keep the names anonymous to keep an element of surprise in it. The ‘secret santa'’ generator seemed like the best fit!”

Crumbine said the first time She received a letter from this exchange she burst into tears because she didn't realize how much she truly missed her new Elon family. Though letters are a simple, sentimental act, the impact is substantial, “I hope everyone has been able to feel the love written in the words they receive,” she said. 

Plus, Crumbine describes the feeling of getting a physical letter in the mail is so much more special than something instantaneous, like a text or even an email. But, that feeling isn’t the only reason for you to try your hand at writing a letter. 

Handwritten letters on physical paper let the person know it came from you, and they can keep it as long as they want it. It’s practically the gift that keeps on giving because they can reread it whenever they want. Letters show effort and the reality of humans as real people, not robots. It’s tangible and simply always exciting just to get something in the mail.

Phoebe’s journal that she writes in nightly, and stores her most important letters. (Photo given by Phoebe Crumbine.)

Writing itself is a (free!) healthy outlet. “It allows you to be so honest and vulnerable with yourself,” Crumbine said. “Honesty and vulnerability are key in communication and in any relationships you have with anybody.” Especially now, while personal space is very limited and relationships are tense, writing can provide an outlet to process and manage life in quarantine at home. And it doesn’t only have to be a letter to friends or family, but you can write to yourself like Crumbine did her sophomore year in high school. 

“I wrote myself a letter to open when I graduated. I also had a few of my close friends write me letters to put in the same envelope. It was so incredible to see how much I had grown as a person in just two years.”

Letters can act as a very personal and meaningful landmark in time. And you can keep them to reflect on. Think about how interesting it would be to receive a letter from yourself today, in the summer of 2020, 10 years down the road when the coronavirus is no longer a global pandemic infiltrating everyone’s lives. 

The gift that keeps on giving, a landmark in time, and a tangible memory. “I always keep my letters,” Crumbine said, because a letter is just a raw, genuine act that you can pick up with a single pen and paper. “I do not think I could ever throw out a letter. I like to go through them every once and a while and they always put a smile on my face,” she added. 

Phoebe’s desk and stationary she uses to write letters. (Photo given by Phoebe Crumbine.)

Some tips for writing your first letter, according to Phoebe Crumbine:

1. “When I am writing a letter, I usually like to talk about what I have been doing recently or what has been on my mind. I, sometimes, will include fun memories I have had with that person. I also like to ask some questions at the end to hear more about them. Sometimes I will include a little poem I read recently or a little drawing or something fun like that.”

2. “I like to sometimes write in fun colors and I always have fun decorating the envelope. I usually use tapes and markers to make it more fun and colorful. I just try to think of anything that would make them smile.”

3. “Don’t stress or try to control it. Write the letter as if you were talking to them and it will come naturally.”