Browse Exhibits (2 total)
The Evolution of Love Letters within a Relationship
It is hard to dispute that as a romantic relationship continues, over time the feelings shared between the couple changes. Whether it deepens into love or weakens as it gets caught up in the difficulties that emerge after coming out of the honeymoon stage depends upon the individual couple. Either way, these changes are important for people to undergo to reach a deeper level of communication and connection in a healthy and loving relationship.
But how does the evolution of a relationship affect the way love notes and letters between a couple change over time? Love letters are an important way for couples to communicate their feelings to each other. They can be a way for couples to work through an issue, pass on encouragement, remind them of their passion, and so much more. The communication of love and how it evolves is important to our study of everyday writing because it offers a look into the intimate connections people make. There is a vulnerability in love notes that rivals journal entries, for not only are they a glimpse into how a person thinks and feels as an individual, but how they express that to another in a way that might please them. So how do those late night texts at the beginning of a relationship filled with passion and lust compare to the short but loving sticky notes left on a partner’s lunch box as they hurry to work on time 3 years into a committed marriage?
This exhibit explores the ways these letters change alongside the relationship by categorizing them into the four psychologically recognized stages of a healthy partnership: infatuation, landing, burying, and resurfacing. Each page will delve further into exactly what that stage means and examples of the types of romantic writing that have been written during that stage between different couples.
A Family of Texts
This exhibit demonstrates how writing has been an integral part of Lisa and Jeff Cronk's relationship, from the early weeks of dating to over a year into their marriage. Neither Lisa or Jeff would self-identify as writers, yet this exhibit shows a deep connection between writing and the self in how they express their affection for one another.
The exhibit here is split into three categories: their dating life, their first year of marriage, and their pregnancy announcement. These artifacts include anniversary cards, Post-It notes of encouragement, lunch menus, and reminders. What is interesting about the artifacts, though, is that they don't necessarily change over time. Lisa and Jeff are just as textually-reliant in expressing their affection in their marriage as they when they were dating. This shows an identity expression through writing, and not just writing as a kariotic response.
This textual exchange demonstrates how writing as a communicative and rhetorical act is a natural part of Lisa and Jeff's everyday lives and is built into the fabric of their relationship. Furthermore, these texts--even the lunch menu notes--were so significant to the couple that Lisa kept them in a special, decorated box of their memories.