enJOY it

an archived personal and craft blog from Elise Blaha Cripe.

magic monday.

PAULmagic

I had an entirely different "magic monday" post written and set to go live in this spot today. It was about how I was able to drive up to LA and see a USC football game this past weekend and how awesome it was. It talked about how I loved college and enjoy stepping back on campus so much.

But then, yesterday afternoon I went down to get the mail and found a box from Paul. He sent some flags that were flown on the 10th anniversary of 9/11 in honor of some different people in our lives. In the box was the letter above – the first written note I've received from him since he left.

And man, did I need to see it. This is so effing hard. And I am trying (and mostly succeeding) to be strong for me and for him and it means so much to me that he knows it.

It's MAGIC. Paul, YOU are magic.

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38 responses to “magic monday.”

  1. Krista Avatar
    Krista

    oh that is beautiful! what a great way to start your week. happy monday!

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  2. Deb @ PaperTurtle Avatar
    Deb @ PaperTurtle

    There’s nothing like seeing the handwriting of someone you love to lift your spirits. I’m sure that was the best medicine for you, Elise! Hang in there!!! xo

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  3. misti Avatar
    misti

    That is definitely magical. Sometimes I’m not sure that things like this affect me, or rather that I don’t know how to react to them, but reading those last words on the letter made me only imagine and I could feel tinges of the separation between y’all. I have boxes and boxes of letters my husband and I wrote each other when we were dating and they are the best things to re-read.

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  4. Linda Avatar
    Linda

    This is so wonderful! Hand written words… will never loose their meaning. Thank you for sharing this most personal bit of letter. I am so happy you have each other and that your magical connection is ever living strong!

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  5. Cecilia Madden Avatar
    Cecilia Madden

    You are a rock, Elise. It is clear. Thanks for sharing your magic with us.
    To a magical week ahead!

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  6. Stephanie Howell Avatar
    Stephanie Howell

    I have saved every single letter Jimmy wrote me. Every one from every single deployment. They are so special to me and the girls. Every time he sends a flag I slip the letter he wrote inside the flag and keep it there. We fly the flags each year on memorial day.
    Elise, I’m so proud of you for choosing to have a positive attitude. One thing I learned very quickly (Jimmy had to gently tell me) is that it is hard on him to see me complain. It makes it hard for him to do his job when he worries about me. You do a wonderful job being honest and authentic yet staying strong so that Paul can do his job. That’s so important.
    Listen. You are going to do this. And soon you will stop feeling like you can’t. It never gets easier. But you will learn to cope better. You are doing a wonderful job. S

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  7. karinhope Avatar
    karinhope

    I’m kinda skipping over all of the touching emotion you so kindly share with us all and my appreciation of that, but I just have to say – Paul has awesome handwriting!!! Have you thought of making a Pea font with it?

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  8. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I have not thought about making a font with it. So funny you suggested it. I will have to see what he thinks!

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  9. Kelly Cree Avatar
    Kelly Cree

    Joining with you in your joy…save it, frame it, memorize it (you probably already did), turn it into a pillow case, hold it dear! This is just the first of many love tokens from your military man. Thanks for posting.

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  10. Maria Stenlund Avatar
    Maria Stenlund

    The best Magic Monday entry so far… 🙂 Having my fingers crossed for you, sending LOVE in your direction. ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤ ❤
    /Maria

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  11. Brandy Dyer Avatar
    Brandy Dyer

    Awwh. I love the last sentence he wrote to you. Super cute.

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  12. Ihilani Avatar
    Ihilani

    This so sweet and full of love and yes, magic. I wish more couples had this kind of love. The world would be so much better for it.

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  13. Brianna Avatar
    Brianna

    Love this. Keep being brave. There’s a song by Rachael Sage called Bravedancing that you need to listen to. It’s the epitome of love and hope and being brave.

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  14. desiree Avatar
    desiree

    I hope that your magic continues throughout the week!

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  15. Nikki M Avatar
    Nikki M

    Perfect. You will treasure those letters until the end of time.

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  16. LiladeTresor Avatar
    LiladeTresor

    Best magic happens when you least expect it. Have a magic fall Elise!

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  17. Kaytie Yost Avatar
    Kaytie Yost

    letters are the best, people really should write more. i read your post earlier today and it really stuck with me. then i read karen russel’s post over on her blog and it made me think of you. do you read her blog? this is a sweet story that i feel like you might enjoy,
    http://karenrussell.typepad.com/my_lifejust_not_on_the_ro/2011/10/a-few-weeks-back-my-husband-sent-me-an-email-asking-if-id-ship-him-a-ukulelee-mind-you-josh-downs-has-never-played-the-u.html
    hang in there!
    -kt

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  18. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    I do not read her blog but am so glad you shared the link!! thank you.

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  19. Skye Avatar
    Skye

    It makes me so happy to see that letter… I can’t fathom how happy it makes you! 🙂 Magic indeed.

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  20. indigorchid Avatar
    indigorchid

    I am so happy for you for this. You’re doing good!

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  21. Chris Avatar
    Chris

    aw hang in there, you are doing fine. You’re right, it is effing hard, it never gets easier. But you keep putting one foot in front of the other, and you get a magic letter or a magic moment on the computer or a magic email or a magic memory of time spent together, and you hang in there another day!! (and I agree he has very nice handwriting!)

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  22. Valentina Avatar
    Valentina

    You made me cry with this post! You’re super strong, hang in there 😉

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  23. Kath Avatar
    Kath

    How wonderful, you’ve got the love, stay strong. I love your blog it’s so uplifting x

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  24. Heather Brittany Avatar
    Heather Brittany

    I just read this and I’m in class. Pretty sure my professor knows I’m not paying attention as I just had to wipe a tear away. Thoughts with you always and dude… you’ve so got this.

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  25. kristen Avatar
    kristen

    oh, elise, this makes me so happy – magical, indeed 🙂

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  26. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    hey, you never know… you could be crying because of the law school workload. love you.

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  27. Jess Avatar
    Jess

    Oh how sweet! Snail mail is the best! Especially when its from someone you love.

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  28. Amy K Avatar
    Amy K

    Simply magical – brings tears to my eyes.

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  29. libbi m. Avatar
    libbi m.

    wonderful blog post. do you think you could share a video tutorial on how you put those circles with added text onto your photos? i would love to learn how!

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  30. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    yes, that is something I can try to do! elise

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  31. libbi m. Avatar
    libbi m.

    thank you!

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  32. sannika Avatar
    sannika

    ❤
    Magic, indeed.

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  33. Nancy Avatar
    Nancy

    Can I request some type of notice before you share something so incredibly beautiful? Because I should not be crying at my desk at work. But I am.
    Thank you so much for sharing your love story with us. I can totally feel the love between you two and that is very, very sweet.
    Bless you both.

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  34. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    so sweet. Thank you. 🙂

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  35. All Of A Sudden Life Is Amazing Avatar
    All Of A Sudden Life Is Amazing

    You guys are amazing. I honestly don’t know how you do it!

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  36. katie bowman Avatar
    katie bowman

    hi beautiful elise — it’s so great to be able to catch up with your life through your astoundingly awesome blog. thinking about you as you hang in there while paul’s across the world. you’re one of the strongest kids i know. i miss you!

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  37. elise blaha Avatar
    elise blaha

    thank you sweet friend.

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  38. Pink Ronnie Avatar
    Pink Ronnie

    Oh gosh, this almost made me teary…
    Ronnie xo

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