Okay so, if you’re reading this, you probably have a few questions, starting with:
WHAT DOES ‘AROUND THE WORLD IN 80 LOVE NOTES’ MEAN?
First things first. If I’ve guessed your question incorrectly, it might be because my superpower to read people’s minds is more imaginary than real (about time I accepted the hard facts!). But if I’ve been somewhat accurate then please read on as I attempt to pen down the answer.
Around the World in 80 Love Notes is this mini-project I’ve been working on for a couple of weeks to surprise my husband. It wasn’t for any specific occasion. Just a little something I wanted to do to show him I don’t take him for granted. Since we don’t really have the budget to travel the world right now, this was like taking a *virtual* trip around the world together! The idea was to collect handwritten notes from all over, each one personalised with our names and telling him that my love for him was so big, it had traveled all the way to *insert name of place*. I know my explanation sounds a bit confusing. But see, here’s what I mean:
HOW DID I COME UP WITH THE IDEA?
(Yeah sorry, I don’t give up easy, gonna keep attempting to guess those questions!)
The internet. More specifically, a Facebook group I’m part of. The interwebs can be a magical place sometimes and, while I have worked on this little personal project, I believe I have seen the best of it. I first came across a post about these notes a few weeks ago by someone in the US of A. She had discovered a similar note on Instagram (who knows where this idea originally came from but whoever it was has made a lot of people super happy!) and wanted to collect as many as possible for her significant other for a Valentine’s Day scrapbook.
Within a few hours, hundreds (I kid you not!) of people had responded saying that they would be willing to write them and take photos. This resulted in a whole new spin-off Facebook group being created just for the purpose of exchanging notes. I was lucky enough to be one of the first few members and as I worked on notes for other people and they did the same for me, half-way across the world, each of us developed an unspoken connection. We were all strangers, helping each other create something beautiful and believing in the power of the universe to give back (yes I know that sounds a little cheesy but it’s true!).
HOW DOES IT WORK?
This entire idea works because it’s not just about taking. It’s about giving back as well. I’ve written notes for many people who were unable to return them but I’ve also received them from so many who didn’t want anything back. It’s a process that takes a little faith and patience but is worth it at the end! Some of my friends living abroad also helped add to my collection (shout-out to Anna and Ivan!)
CAN I BE PART OF THIS?
Yes! You can collect your very own personalised notes by joining this group here. These guys are awesome, especially the admins who manage the group – they spend hours moderating and sorting things out for people and are some of the sweetest women I’ve met (virtually!). I promise you’ll love being a part of the group, encountering peeps from all over the world! You may even make a few friends (I know I did!). In less than a month, the group has already grown to more than 2000 members (you know what they say – good ideas spread like wildfire!).
As a present
The notes make for a very thoughtful present. You can do it for any of your loved ones – mothers, fathers, siblings or friends. You can even choose to do multiple projects 🙂 The best part is that you don’t pay anything, you just need to invest a little bit of time and effort to return the favour. We may not have the money to travel the world or always have the time to show our loved ones how much they mean so I feel like these little gestures go a long way.
compilation
In case you’re looking for ideas on how to compile them, I put mine together in a video 🙂 I’m not the most tech-savvy person around so it’s just a simple compilation. I’m putting the video at the end so you can take a look. Good luck on your love-note journey! If you have any questions, feel free to comment and if you do go ahead with the idea, I’d love to see you what you come up with 🙂
Awww!! What a sweet and unique gesture!! I absolutely love the idea behind this group! and in addition to it being the most romantic thing I’ve seen in a long time, it lends hope to the idea that strangers can still find ways to be selfless and loving with each other despite all the shit going on in the world right now.
Thanks for this feel good post!
Thank you! You’re awesome <3
LOVE the idea! Thanks for sharing. This just became my secret Valentine’s project. 😉
Yay awesome! I’m so glad. He’ll love it iA ^_^
Faith in humanity restored and the power of the internet restored. LOVE this and can’t wait to be a part of this for someone and make my own someday with hopefully some original photos!
<3
What did you use to make the video? An app? (looking to make a compilation as well) Nicely done.
Aw thank you! I used iMovie 🙂
MashAllah, what a creative and romantic idea! Surprising that there is already a group for it as well! Love it.
Thank you so much! 🙂
Awww this is so cute! <3
^_^
This is such a beautiful thing to do for your other half! I’m also loving the idea of fellow bloggers helping you out with the notes – such a supportive network! <3
It really is! I feel so luck to be part of the community 🙂
This is so sweet! I love the idea!
Aw, thank you 🙂
This is so great! What a fun idea and how amazing to get a present like this from a loved one! Now you’ve got me thinking about who to do this for in my life! <3
Aw, I’d love to know I’ve inspired more people to be part of this 🙂
Wow, what an interesting concept. Your husband must be really feeling the love 🙂 What was his reaction like when you told him?
He loved it! Initially, he couldn’t believe they were all actual, handwritten notes cause who does that in this day and age right?! Like he thought maybe there was some software I’d used but he couldn’t figure out how they looked so real lol! He was so touched to know each one was handwritten by a different person around the world :’)
This is such a cool idea! A friend of mine had birth affirmations travel the world already. A little bit different than this but similar ideas. Very cool!
That sounds like a very interesting idea! 🙂
Wow that’s such a sweet idea for a present! So nice that the facebook group had reached 2000 people, it’s so cool to know that there are so many people willing to help and give.
Exactly! It’s so inspiring to become part of something like that 🙂
It came out great!! And what a great idea for a facebook group. So nice to see strangers willing to help each other out!
Aw, thank you so much!
Wow how cool is this?!?! I love it, so creative and your hubby must be smiling from ear to ear! Thanks for sharing..I might just have to join this group!
Valerie
Haha, thank you! Would love to know I’ve inspired you to join the group 😉
I think this is an awesome idea. I have seen this pop up several places myself.
I’m beginning to see it quite a bit myself! But it’s good to know that so many people want to get involved 🙂
This is so beautiful and inspiring. We can all use a reminder of LOVE!
https://binkiesandbaubles.com/2017/02/14/17-years-of-love/
Such a wonderful and creative idea! I think you’ve inspired some because I’ve seen some others doing a similar thing lately. What a great idea to have spread!
Really? That’s so good to know! That was the whole purpose of writing this post 🙂
This is adorable! I think we all wish we could take our loved one to all these places, but when it’s just not feasible, this is the next best thing 🙂
HI
I wanted to do this for my Partner. However the FB group link does not work. Where can I send this to so people can send me back the notes?
Yes, it seems that FB group is no longer active. Try searching on FB for other similar groups though. Good luck!