letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

I am not sure where to begin.  It was nice to receive your letter, but my heart is so heavy for the passing of your brother.  I could not even imagine what you and your family are going through.  Your life forever changed.  

Know that you are in my thoughts and I have been sending you so much love.  The road ahead will feel as if you are traveling all up hill.  You may feel lost and unsure where to turn.  Know that there are people out there, like me, who will sit right beside you.  Ready to hold your hand, listen to your stories, or just sit there with you in silence.  

It is in moments like this that we must lean on others, even when it feels difficult to do so.  Friends have a way of lifting us back up, holding us gently, and letting us just be.  Lean in deeply and know that you are loved and seen, even as you struggle through your pain and loss.    

There is nothing in this world like the bond that forms between family.  It is a love that never falters.  There will be disagreements. Moments where you do not get along.  But when it comes down to it you will always be there for one another.  

The love you have for your brother will live on in your heart and be expressed every day when you think of him.  He will always be with you.  Looking down, cheering you on, and watching you grow.  

Sending you so much love as you navigate through this and know that I am here for you.  

xo

Jennifer

{13}

online class :: love notes special delivery

Ever since I was a little girl I kept a journal. Scribbling in it long into the night then tucking it safely underneath my mattress so that my brothers wouldn't find it. Those pages held all the thoughts of my latest crush, what I really thought about high school, and what I dreamed my life would be.  Showing up on the page was easy.  It never spoke back, never judged, and alway allowed me the space to just be.

This September I am embarking on a new journey with the page.  A five week adventure that I hope you will take with me.  Together we will explore how we hold ourselves back from showing the world our best selves.  We will send ourselves loving notes, and dig deep into the light that we shine in this world.  We will then take that love we have in our hearts and share it with those around us, and our community.  It is going to be a brilliant collaboration between ourselves and the blank page which will not stay blank for to long.

Each Monday - Friday a bit of inspiration, a story, an assignment, or creative adventure will arrive in your email mailbox.  Providing you the tools you need to begin your own relationships with the blank page.  A relationship that once forged will open door ways to your heart.

The page saved my life.  And I know if you give it a chance it could help you heal many pieces of your own heart.

Come along with me from September 15th - October 19th for Love Notes Special Delivery.  An online writing class that will open the door to your heart.  Together lets journey through different writing exercises and uncover the love that is deep in our hearts.

What:  An online writing class

Class Objective:  Learn how to show up to the blank page and not be intimidated to tell the stories that we have tucked into our hearts.  Discover the healing powers of writing by telling these stories, letting some of them go, and moving forward as our best selves.  

Where: Online, self paced class.  Lessons are delivered directly to your email box.  You are able to go at your own pace, go back to pieces that really resonate with you, and use the lessons over and over again.  

When:  Starting Sunday, September 15th  for five weeks

Why:  Because the page can save your life.  Opening your heart to writing can bring you back to yourself, help guide you in a new direction, and give you space to dream and grow.   

Cost:  $49 USD

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

Happy Tuesday and almost Fourth of July!  I cannot believe that the fourth is already upon us.  Summertime always seems to fly by in a blink of an eye.  Do you have any plans for the Holiday weekend?  I absolutly love fireworks.  I am not sure where we will be seeing them, but am looking forward to the brillant colors in the sky. 

I love that you have been adding to your photography portfolio since you started working in Providence.  It is wonder that you are embracing your surroundings and really soaking them up.  All to often we run from one thing to the next, never really taking the time appreciate it.  But here you are, soaking it all in.  Fantastic! 

I took a big leap and opened the doors to my Etsy shop for the first time.  I can't belive I did but am so proud of myself for just doing it.  My writing, blog, photography, and work has all evolved so organically.  I love that.  Opening the Etsy shop felt like the next right step to take.  I am not sure where it will lead but am excited to see the path it opens me up to. 

When I was in high school I ran Cross Country and track, running the mile, half mile, and two mile.  Belthoff's do not have much speed so we have to stick to the distance events.  You should see my brothers run to first base when they play softball.   It is like they are running in slow motion. 

What I like about running is that it pushes my mind.  I know my body can make it up the hill, but it is my mind that is the challenge.  All it ever says to me is: "I want to stop, I want to stop."  But I must keep my legs moving and make it to the top.  It feels so good when I push through. 

I enjoy riding my bicycle more.  When I am on my bike my mind never even thinks the thought of stopping.  There is to much territory to explore.  To many new sites to see.  I want to peddle as far as I have time for.

I love excercising.  Moving my body, stretching my muscles, climbing higher than I thought I could go.  Excercise is such an amazing healer for the mind, body, and spirit.  I try to excercise five days a week but do not always get the chance. When I don't I feel it in me.  I become a bit sluggish, irritable, and craving the movment.  That is when I pick myself up and go for a walk.  Even a walk around the block refreshes me. 

I hope you have been enjoying your summer.  Please tell me what adventures you have been up to, what feeds your soul, and where you want to go to next. 

Sending lots of love your way from NJ!

xo
Jennifer
{10}

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

How was your "Kick Off to Summer trip?  I loved seeing some photos on your blog.  It cracked me up to see Chilis in one of them because my second job is at Chilis.

What fun things did you do and see?  What is your favorite memory from your time away?

Memorial Day weekend around here was filled with rain, wind, and cold weather.  Not the usual kick off to summer.  I can't believe that it is already almost June!

I love this time of year and am looking forward to the sunshine, flip flops on, and time spent outdoors.  Dustin and I may be heading to Chicago in a couple of weeks to catch a few baseball games.  I have never been so would love to go.

I have been busy around here with all different creative projects.  My mind is working at warp speed and my hand can't keep up to get all of the ideas down.  I just opened up sign ups for the next round of Love Notes and can't wait until we start.  Registration is open until June 15th.  I hope that you will join in.  It is the one year anniversary of the project.  I can't believe that it was a year ago when I started it.  It has been so much fun to host each session and I love looking back and seeing how it has evolved.

This weekend I am hosting a little girls art date with three girls.  I am looking forward to getting them together and digging into some creative fun.  I love working with children.  Their honest demeanor and try anything attitude is always such a blast of fresh air.

I wonder when I lost my try anything demeanor.  When I became afraid of getting hurt, or not wanting to put myself out there.  I wish I could go back to that one moment when the switch flipped and tell that little girl to continue on that path.  That it doesn't matter what others think, all that matters is that in your heart you are happy.

It is amazing how as a child we are fearless and as we get older we try so hard to get back to those roots.  To live without fear, embrace the moment, let loose and just have fun.  I want to dance around like no one is watching and fall deeply into joy.

Hope you are settling back into home and reminiscing about your time away.

Sending you so much love from NJ

xo
Jennifer
{08}

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine

Thank you so much for your thoughts and prayers during the passing of my Nana.  It was a long few days, but there were so many beautiful memories of her radiant life that were shared which warmed my heart.  It is never easy when someone passes but we all know that she is in a better place looking down on all of us.

This past weekend I hosted my very first Feast of Words.  Oh Kristine, how I wish you could have been a part of it.  It was magical.  An intimate group of women gathered to share a meal and pour there heart onto the page.  I wish you could have seen the topics that arose from the writing prompts . . . the words and heartfelt emotion that they shared . . . the kindness, love and support that they gave one another. . . it was all so beautiful.  I am still in awe that it all unfolded as it did.

I definitely want to host another one and dreamed last night of "taking the show on the road."  I would love to be able to show up in peoples home town and host a Feast of Words event in their home.  What a big, bold dream, but oh how wonderful it would be.

Dustin and I went to our first baseball game of the season this past weekend.  It was so fun.  We both love baseball and have the same desire to go to every single stadium.  I love seeing how each stadium is different and love the enthusiasm the fans have for their hometown team.  Even though we are Yankees fans we went to see the Mets.  He has never seen the stadium before and it has a really great feel to it.

I  am so happy to hear that you are enjoying your job!  That is fantastic.  If you make your way to New York City let me know.  I am right around the corner from there.  How fabulous it would be to get to meet up.

How are your plans going for your "Kick Off to Summer" trip to Maine.  I love that you guys do a kick off to summer trip.  What a fantastic idea.  I have never been to Maine but have heard it is beautiful.  Have you been there before?

Dustin and I are not so good with the planning when it comes to trips.  He brings up a million ideas and then changes his mind a million and one more times.  So we have a few balls juggling in the air but am not sure which one we will actually catch.

I am looking forward to getting back on my bicycle again and exploring.  It is one of my favorite things to do during Spring and Summer.  I also enjoying sitting outside on my front patio reading and writing.  This is my favorite time of year.

Until next time my dear.  Sending you so much love and I look forward to hearing from you.

xo
Jennifer
{06}

Letters Across the Miles

Dear Kristine,

Oh what a week it has been.  At 12:05 am on Sunday my Nana passed away.  Five minutes after her 84th birthday.  She had been battling Alzheimer's for a long time and now she is dancing an Irish Jig among the stars.

She always had a smile radiating from her face.  Her patience, kind heart, and loving spirit was infused into everyone around her.  During the end of her life the conversation was mostly focused around the disease. Now that she has passed there are so many wonderful memories being shared about her time here.

She was married to my Pop-Pop for 62 years.  Together they raised eleven children.  She was a part of twenty three grand children's lives and also six great grand children.  There are also a countless number of friends of the family who say they are the twelfth and thirteenth Belthoff.

It is amazing to look at these numbers and witness first hand how tight knit this family dynamic is.  A family that large is rare to find these days.  And a family that hangs out together, laughs deeply, and is there for one another no matter what is also not so easy to find, but that is the Belthoff family.

I am one of the lucky ones.  I was blessed to be able to grow up with all four of my grandparents.  In fact they lived around the block from one another.

I have so many wonderful memories of my Nana.  Having raised eleven kids she was the all knowing one.  When I had the chicken poxs and my mom wasn't sure she brought me over to her house to confirm.  I remember standing on the kitchen chair as my Nana inspected me.

Every year for Easter she gave each grandchild a stuffed animal in their Easter basket.  Just imagine over time how many stuffed animals that is.  My mom still lines the steps of our home with those bunnys and chicks each Easter.

She had a warm heart and the brightest smile.  I never once heard her raise her voice.  She had a deep love for her family and the New York Yankees.  She also deeply loved each of the four legged barking friends that we a part of her life throughout.  Taffy stayed by her side the last few months before her passing and gave my Nana so much joy.

Although this is a really sad time I know in my heart that my Nana lived 84 beautiful years.  All of us have so many incredible memories stored in our hearts.  She will live on in each of us for sure.

So my world has been turned upside down a bit, but so has everyone's world with the bombing at the Marathon in Boston.  My heart just breaks to see moments like this occur in our world.  I know that you are near that area, how are things going near you?  Are you close to where it occurred?

My dear friend, I hope where you are the sun is shining on you.  I know you started a new job and would love to hear about it.  Please share any bright and shiny news you have.  The world needs to hear it.

Sending you so much love!

xo
Jennifer
{05}  

feast of words

I love the world wide web and the way it opens up opportunity for connection, the ability to interact with people all the way across the world, and the never ending journey it takes you on.  However I have been craving in person connection.

Sitting down across the table from someone
Looking into their eyes
Hearing the sound of their voice
Sharing with one another, together

So I have taken a very brave step and am hosting an in person gathering with my aunt; Feast of Words

It will be an evening gathered around the table breaking bread, toasting with a glass of wine, and releasing our fears about writing.  We will leave those fears on the table after dinner and settle in to write.  I will be guiding the small group into how to begin writing your story.  Every one has a story to tell and we will begin writing ours that night.  You don't have to think you are a writer to be a part of this evening.  If you make a grocery list, write you name, or fill out a birthday card for a friend then you my dear can begin to write your story.

I am excited about this evening and can feel in my heart how heartwarming and tender it is going to be. I am looking forward to being in a room with individuals and sharing pieces of our heart.  It is going to be so good.

With any brave step we take though, moments of fear jump in.  I am nervous that no one will sign up.  But I am not going to let that stop me.  The night is planned and my aunt and I are ready to go.

If you are interested in joining please head on over here for the details and to sign up.  And if you know someone in the Mahwah NJ area please feel free to share this event with them.  It is going to be such a lovely evening!  

Love Notes Presents

:: Feast of Words ::

A night of delicious food and writing to uncover your story!

When:  Saturday, April 27th

Time:  5:30 pm - 9 pm

Where:  The comfort of my home in Mahwah, NJ

Included:  Dinner, wine, and a night of writing

Price:  $45.00

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

Tuesday came and went.  After getting out of work from the restaurant last night I was lying in bed and it hit me, "oh my goodness, I never wrote my letter."  These past few days have flown by in a thick haze.  Holiday weekends tend to do that to me.

It was wonderful spending time with family over the weekend.  I have a very large extended family.  My father is one of eleven --- therefore there are many aunts, uncles, and cousins in the mix.  We have entered a new phase of life where my brothers and cousins have children of their own.  There are six new little ones in the family and as I was sitting at my Uncles house on Easter Sunday I was taken aback by this new generation that was just starting their life.  It feels like only yesterday that my cousins and I were kids and now here they are having kids of their own.

It is great fun having this new generation around.  Holidays have a new sparkle to them.  And seeing my cousins and brothers as parents is mind blowing.  It makes me wonder how I am going to be when I have children of my own.  It is also neat to watch how their children interact with one another; new relationships and connections forming.  My hope is that they even though they aren't "cousins" that they grow up to have the relationship that my cousins and I had growing up and still have today.  Sleepovers, parties, cousin's nights, hanging out together, knowing that no matter what we are family.

I love reminiscing with my family about times past.  Whenever my brothers and I go back in time tears are always rolling down my face from laughing so hard.  Those are the moments that this life is all about.  Connecting, laughing, and being in the moment.

Spring is here and it makes me happy.  I am looking forward to when the sun is shining brightly and I can wear my flip-flops without my toes freezing.  You have me thinking about what I want to do this Spring that I have never done before.  Hmmm, that is a really great question.  I am not sure.

There are many things that I have done before that I am looking forward to.... feeding the ducks, sitting outside on my porch at night with a good book and a glass of wine, walking with Dustin, going to the park with my niece, wishing on stars, nights around the fire, planting herbs, and grilled bbq chicken.  During this time of year I spend as much time outside as possible.  What is on your Spring/Summer Bucket list?

Wishing you a wonderful week!      

xo
Jennifer
{04}

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

With each letter I receive from you I see more and more how much we are alike.  Where I live there is a pond in the complex and Dustin and I go there often to feed the ducks and take photographs.  It is so peaceful and I just love that we are able to walk right over. 

Winter is being resilant this year.  We had another snow storm last night that left a few inches on the ground.  The rain seems to be starting now so it may be washed up before the day ends, but it is a good reminder that we never know what is on the horizon in life.  Each corner we turn there is a new unexpected journey. 

I love that you met your new neighbor.  Have you had the opporutnity to have coffee with her yet?  It is so wonderful when those unexpected moments happen in life.  This past weekend a couple of my friends and I gathered around and created.  We each bring what ever we are working on, spread the art supplies on the table and dive into deep converstaion that gets the creative juices flowing.  It is the perfect way to spend a Saturday afternoon.   

As we were gathered together I was dying to tell them about some big news.  I wrote an article that is coming out in Somerset Life.  Every time I went to go tell them the fear monsters started shouting...."what if it doesn't get published, what if it doesn't get published, don't embarress yourself and say something until you see it."  So I held the news tucked away into my pocket until yesterday.  In between work at the office and work in the resturant I stopped at the mail box.  As soon as I opened that little silver door I saw it and instantly new it was the magazine. 

Oh my goodness Kristine I am so incredibly excited. This is a dream come true for me.  I was shaking as I opened up the magazine.  I started shouting and dancing around my home.  I was in complete shock.  The article looks more beautiful than I ever imagined it would and I can't belive this dream actually came true.  

I am a firm beliver in stating our dreams and then going after them.  If we never speak them the universe never knows we want them.  It was a few years back when is stated this dream and today it came true.  What is a dream that you have that you would love to see come true?

Sending you so much love!  Happy letters across the miles Tuesday. 

xo

Jennifer

{03}

letters across the miles

Dear Kristine,

It was so great to hear from you!  I cannot believe that we are already in March.  This year is flying by, however I am really looking forward to Spring and all the snow melting.  The past couple of mornings when I have left for work I have heard the birds chirping and it brings me such great pleasure.  I love hearing their songs as I walk to my car.

This past week has been a really good week for me.  I am taking steps towards some of the projects I have sitting on the shelf collecting dust.  It feels good to begin.  To just jump in and see where it goes.
These projects on the shelf are my dreams, and I cannot just sit there and watch them fade into the darkness.

Sometimes it takes someone to push us to begin, and that is exactly what I needed.  A strong swift push out the door into the broad daylight to really begin to see who I am, and what it is I really want to accomplish.

All to often I find myself looking at what other people are doing and thinking that I would love to do what they are.  But I am not them.  I have a gentler voice.  A calmer spirit.  I need to find my own way in the world.   I need to listen deep to my heart to find out what it is that would make me shine with happiness.  With the help of this swift push out the door, I am finding this.

What has your week been like?  What adventures have you gone on?  Are you ready for Spring time?

Sending you so much love this week.

xo
Jennifer
{02}

letters across the miles

Letters written between friends seems to have become a thing of the past.  But it shouldn't be.  Which is why Kristine and I are bringing it back in our own online version.  We are writing back and forth to each other every Tuesday. 

You can find my first letter to her HERE

And read the response she posted today HERE

I am loving this project and look forward to responding next Tuesday.