Who Makes Your Life Extraordinary?

This post is sponsored by Hallmark Signature. All opinions, images and ideas are my own. Thanks for supporting the sponsors!As I scroll down the pictures on my phone, I start to think of all the special moments I have lived over the past year. I remember my son’s first birthday party. My sister in law’s wedding in North Carolina. Visiting my parents in their new home in Mexico City. The reunion with my best friend from college. The day my grandparents hugged my son for the first time. I also think about the new people I met this year. I think of family picnic days and “girl nights” with virgin cocktails and deep conversations about our kids’ afternoon activities. I remember all that, and I smile. I feel so lucky and loved this year. It’s an amazing feeling.Hallmark Signature cards are beautifully made and feel special and unique, just like the people in my life. Each one of them reminds me of someone with whom I shared something important, silly or funny. They also have the perfect words and details to personalize that special message in an extraordinary way.After my grandfather was diagnosed with cancer, I felt the urge to let him know that I was going to be with him in that difficult moment even if we were living so far away from each other. I was moving away from Mexico just a few months after hearing the news too. My heart felt broken just by knowing that I was leaving my home, my grandparents, my parents, my little brothers and sister.I wanted to say something special to all of them, but words didn’t come out easily from my mouth. So I decided to write it.A night before my flight, to my new home in the United States, I wrote a few cards for these extraordinary people in my life. I sneaked into their rooms, and left them on their bedside tables.I packed the car that night and left the next day before dawn. It was one of the hardest thing I have done in my whole life and writing those letters was one of the best things I have done as well. I left my soul there, with them, on those pieces of paper.From that day I learned how special and powerful physical cards can be.For the last year, I’ve included my son in getting cards ready for family and friends. He loves that I ask him to help, and brings his stamps over as fast as he can. I believe that cards carry a nostalgic value of something beautiful that a person you love touched it before giving it to you. That’s why I want him to feel excited about doodling something for grandma, grandpa and his tíos and tías. I want him to understand, that a simple detail, like receiving a card in the mail, is enough to let them know that we think about them and we miss them with all our heart.I didn’t grow up with that tradition, but I believe it’s a great one to teach my kid about, embrace and keep for years to come.Since Hallmark Signature cards are so lovely, I couldn’t give them all away. We are keeping one for our family that I’ll display on the Christmas tree the whole holiday season. When the holidays end, I’ll save it in our album of memories. It will be a great thing to see a few years from now, next to a picture of all of us. Visit Hallmark Signature to find the perfect cards for your loved ones this holiday season.