Brace yourself: This is almost as sappy as the sappiest Hallmark card, but here goes:
One of the very best gifts I've ever received was a letter from my little brother.
I was in college at the time and my family was on the other side of the country. I was 19 or so, which means my brother was about 13. I still remember pulling the envelope out of my tiny mailbox and seeing his chicken scratch there across the back. I took the letter with me to the dining hall -- got some food and sat by myself to read it.
Long story short: It was a school assignment. His teacher had instructed everyone in the class to write a letter to someone they admired. It was a sweet letter -- not very long. And, because I'm an absolute sap, it almost makes me cry to think of it now. It was close to the holidays, if I remember correctly.
Thirteen year old boys don't write a lot of letters and they don't often take the time to express their feelings -- so it was as if he'd sent me some rare jewel.
It was one of the best gift he's ever given me.
What is the best gift you've ever received that wasn't a thing? Share below in the comments, or send us a note and we'll publish as many stories as we can!
image via Pink Sherbet; Flickr.com