How wonderful does it feel to get a personal, handwritten love note from someone? Welcome to Love Notes — little daily stories to inspire giving and receiving love notes!

I hope these love stories — the daily ones and weekly posts — about making peace inspire you on your own journey.

It’s also really great to hear from you! (Even if it’s not a handwritten note. It’s OK. I understand.)

In fact, a comment here is even better. Connecting through comments is a necessary step in growing the readership here — and builds community and connection.

Love Notes Every Day

Welcome to Love Notes, a new way to celebrate love and gratitude through February, 2021.

My challenge: Write a little love note every day in February and post here and on Facebook and Instagram at @lisaduchenewriter. Not easy! Like everyone, I juggle lots of things. But I can do it.

Your part: Comment. 

It can be right here on this post or the Love Notes page, or on Facebook or Instagram. Your comment can be just about anything. And I’ve got some cool prizes to give away this month.

“Thanks for the story” …. or “I don’t like all this snow” … or “Have a nice day” … or “Hi.”

Anyone of those will work just fine! Seriously. Just let me know you’re out there and visiting.

Hellooo? Anyone out there?

Fuel for the Journey

I believe in these stories, and have loads of drafts and ideas, maps for a re-designed site. BIG plans! 

Writing has always given me tremendous joy.

But when the story connects with readers on some level …. WOW. Even better. That’s what it’s all about.

Connection with you is quite gratifying and propels me on this adventure.

Remember: It’s all FREE. Leaving a comment is FREE. Just like sending a love note is FREE, except for the stamp.

This February, 2021, we need connection more than ever, especially since we can’t get together for roasted turkey and pie.

The Backstory

You may know. But if you’re a new reader, you may not.

So let me explain:

• ThanksgivinginFebruary.com is inspired by a true family story. More than a decade ago, my dad’s longtime girlfriend hosted his daughters, and our moms — his ex-wives, my stepmother and my stepfather — and his friends for a traditional Thanksgiving dinner in the middle of February.  Read the story. Or scroll down to watch the video of my TEDxPSU talk.

This act of gratitude and generosity from a woman we had called The Ice Queen was to thank everyone for helping out when my dad battled and recovered from a life-threatening illness the previous November. He’d spent that Thanksgiving, his favorite holiday, in the hospital. Read Ms. Judgment, the story about mis-judging the “Ice Queen.”

• For about a decade, my dad and I had not talked much. Then we made our peace — which made the rest of the story possible. In other words, this story and site has been decades in the making.

• This story inspired my deep dive into writing personal stories. A trained and experienced journalist/editor, I spotted its rich lessons in making peace, the power of gratitude, making and re-making family, and love of family.

So I told it.

Then I kept going. Now, I’m sharing those stories for your journey. Follow your heart. Make your peace.

And can you think of a better way to make peace than sharing a piece of pie? (Or the whole pie?)

How Love Notes works

It’s simple: 

Every time you comment, you get a chance to win a prize. 

But — seriously — the best reward of commenting is connecting with fellow readers. 

It’s the winter of 2021, and we all need connection more than ever before.

In our family, there will be no “traditional” Thanksgiving in February turkey dinner for 25 people. Not this year. This would have been the 10^th year. 

All that energy I usually channel into making pies, turkey shopping and decking everything out with flowers and red foil hearts?

You guessed it. I’m pouring it into Love Notes, at ThanksgivinginFebruary.com

Let’s celebrate together. I’m so excited. Happy Thanksgiving!