ART DIRECTOR EMMA NAZARENO PHOTOGRAPHED BY CHARLIE NGUYEN
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asha Kaplow jolted awake to her dad banging on her door at 3 a.m. shouting to evacuate from a fire in front of her house. That night she was put in the position to answer the question we’ve all thrown around once before: if you had only a few minutes before leaving everything to a fire, what would you bring? “We had less than five minutes to grab what we needed and just get the fuck out,” said Kaplow. “It was so interesting because I found myself grabbing the letters and grabbing those sentimental valuable…. I have an expensive necklace that I forgot but I brought my great grandma’s signature on the last letter she ever gave me.” Kaplow has been collecting letters for as long as she can remember, an experience that is not unique to her. We all know someone who holds on tightly to every card, letter, or
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WRITTEN BY CLAIRE CONGER DESIGNER AINSLEY MCRAE
note given to them. From preserving their exboyfriend’s lackluster love letter or having an overflowing basket of birthday cards and “you’re my best friend” letters, the written memorabilia community holds these sentiments close. “Please keep being who you are. and spreading joy, it’s an absolute joy to know you…. you are a beacon of light, I love your positive attitude towards life.” This is an excerpt from a letter written to Eloise Reese by a friend’s dad before she left for college. Like Kaplow, Reese has been collecting letters for years. She memorializes her letters by taping them on her wall and storing them in a box. “[The letters] show me that people love me, they care for me, and take the time to let me know about something I can hold onto forever. You