Take ORF Postcards

The other night I picked up my husband from the airport and wanted to get a picture in front of the new LOVE sign they had in the baggage claim. (They have these LOVE signs all over the state of Virginia so if you ever find yourself in Virginia and want to find one of the signs, you can view the map of all their locations.)

They have a sign next to the giant LOVE sign advertising "Snap and Share your Love" along with 5 plastic holders holding "Sending Love" postcards for you to take.

This is the second postcard design that I have seen available now at the airport. I just love this idea so much. Grab a postcard and send a little love while you are waiting for a flight or picking someone up. I of course, grabbed a handful so I can mail them out to friends and family! 

The above, is the spring postcard in the series of "Sending Love" postcards available at Norfolk International Airport in Virginia. After doing a little research online, I found out this is the third postcard so far. They have had a Fall (I also have a handful of those), Winter and now Spring! I think they are very well designed and I look forward to hopefully seeing more designs available in the future!

xo,

e

Valentines,VA Postmark

I wanted to share all the letters I received from my trip to Valentines, VA! It is so fun to have a mailbox filled with all the pink and red envelopes!

I just love the heart shaped postmark on every envelope along with the hand stamped heart Kathy

(the postmaster) stamps onto every envelope! It truly makes the mail that much more special!

I can't wait to head back to Valentines, VA next year!

Valentines, VA 2019

This past weekend my mom, Bells and I took our annual drive to Valentines, VA to mail all of our valentines! It takes about 2 hours to get there from where I live, so we make a day out of it. We always laugh that people probably think we are nuts for driving so far to mail letters. But it is something we look forward to every year and love doing!

We started out our day being matchy matchy in our Lularoe typewriter pattern! I had to have this dress as soon as I saw it. The pattern was so perfect!

44 valentines ready to be mailed!

Bells with some of her cards to mail!

I love all the vintage details about this post office! It has so much charm!

The postmaster Kathy has been the one behind the counter every year since we started going around 2014! She recognizes us every year and has seen Bells grow up since we have been coming in with her since she was 2 months old!

She gave Bells a gift bag this year filled with crayons and a coloring book! So sweet.

My mom and Postmaster Kathy

3 generations of letter mailers!

If you are ever up for a fun little journey next year I suggest adding the Valentines, VA post office to your list! And if you live to far away to make it there, you can always mail a stamped envelope full of pre-addressed stamped letters to them and they will make sure that they all receive the special Valentines, VA postmark and hand stamp! (More about the hand stamp in an upcoming blog post)

Valentines Post Office

23 Manning Drive

Valentines, VA 23887

xo,

e

snow day, take 2.

We had yet another snow day in Virginia Beach, Virginia yesterday. I went for a walk around the neighborhood and caught the mailman in action!

Thanks for delivering the mail even though it was nasty outside and the roads were slick! Remember to clear the pathway to your mailbox to make it safe for your mailman to make deliveries.

valentines, va postmark.

Isn't this postmark and hand stamp fantastic? This is the reason I love traveling to Valentines, VA every year to mail my valentines!

valentines, va.

My mom and I took our 2nd annual trip to Valentines, VA this year to mail all of our valentines! It is always a nice day driving there and sending off our pretty cards and letters! 

I just love small post offices! There is something so special about them and this one is no exception. this small building houses a tiny post office and what used to be a market, but we found out that has since closed due to the lady retiring.

You can pick up a few Valentines souvenirs to remember your trip to the special post office! They sell mugs, t-shirts, postcards and koozies.

Kathy (one of the two ladies who works at the Valentines, VA post office) working hard behind the counter sorting and stamping envelopes.

A view from the front of the store.

A box full of koozies for sale. I bought one this year!

If you are ever up for a fun little journey next year I suggest adding the Valentines, VA post office to your list! And if you live to far away to make it there, you can always mail a stamped envelope full of pre-addressed stamped letters to them and they will make sure that they all receive the special Valentines, VA postmark and hand stamp! (More about the hand stamp in an upcoming blog post)

Valentines Post Office

23 Manning Drive

Valentines, VA 23887

post office for sale.

A friend recently emailed me a Craigslist Ad listing a Post Office for sale in Sedley, VA!

Image from: craigslist.com

"Great Investment. Post Office building near Franklin, VA. Long Term Lease with United States Postal Service. Has been continuously leased by the Postal Service since 1964. Very little upkeep. All brick building with new membrane roof. $59,500."

Just think of all the possibilities of owning your very own Post Office! If I had the money, I would highly consider buying this little gem in the middle of nowhere!

valentines, va.

This past Saturday I took a little road trip to Valentines, VA! I have been planning this little road trip for almost a year now and was really excited! The town of Valentines isn't even really a town but more of a community within Brunswick County. There is one building offering up expressions of love. The Valentines, VA Post Office!

Outside of the Post Office from the street.

The front porch and Post Office sign.

The Post Office is combined inside this tiny building with Wright's General Merchandise. The two have shared this small space since 1935. When you step inside you step back in time. Coca-Colas sold in glass bottles, an old stove and rocking chairs. The Post Office dates back to William H. Valentine, the town's namesake who served as the first postmaster from 1887-1911.

Mr. Wright bought the store took over as postmaster in 1951. He unknowingly started what would become a sensation! Embracing the town's name, he began rubber-stamping the mail with an emblem-featuring a heart and dogwood blossoms-that he designed himself.

Finishing up stuffing some of my letters!

My mom and I patiently waiting our turn!

The mail ladies working hard!

Sorting all my of valentines!

While we were there we overheard that there is a possibility this gem of a Post Office could be closing down. To hear that breaks my heart. Kathy did say that if it does not close, than most likely the hours would be reduced. I hope that the Postal Service realizes what a gem this place is and keeps it open.

I have found my new yearly tradition for my Valentines! If you would like your valentine's day cards postmarked from Valentines, VA next year than mail your pre-stamped cards in a larger envelope to:

Valentine VA US Post Office

23 Manning Drive

Valentine, VA 23887

Read more about this great Post Office here.

Post Office Contact Information here.