The following quote and photos originally appeared via GlitterGuide.

As if the modest, mid-century aesthetic of the Ruffle Blog’s founder wasn’t enough to make us want to gut our own homes, for us vintage-loving ladies our eyes are almost instantly drawn to the focal-point of this room. Right above the mantel hangs not a mirror or collective family portraits of various memories, but a single envelope, blown up and gracing the home with a sweet message within.

Amanda, the founder and editor of the inspiring DIY Wedding site Ruffled, featured the image of the letter on the Instagram of GlitterGuide, where she was quoted,

“We had this envelope from Matt’s grandparents enlarged because it represents so much to us. This was a letter that his grandfather sent to his yet-to-be wife while he was in the Pacific during WWII. The contents of this letter never arrived at her destination, and it wasn’t until 2010 when a professor doing research on soldier survivors of WWII found the envelope on eBay. He was just as elated to hear that both of them were still alive, as Matt’s grandparents were to have that envelope returned to them. It’s an amazing love story with real love letters and history, all in one.”

There is just something about heirlooms that help our hearts hold onto the past, especially when it’s personal. Family ties, and wonderfully special stories, are the perfect way to aptly make any house feel like a home, just as Amanda magically had with a simple letter.