We decided when we were first together, that we wanted to do something to
mark -- to recognize -- to appreciate our relationship and our commitment to
building a life together. We wanted to involve others and ask them to
share in this process and celebrate with us.
We decided to create a Time Capsule every 10 years. We would involve
others by asking them to write a letter to the future to one or both of us.
This year we are building Time Capsule #2.
Our first four Time Capsules will be opened at a huge party in November 2038
We want our Time Capsule to literally be a snapshot in time. A frame of
our life in 2008. Its not a repository for well-wishes from long lost
friends. So, for example, if we were close to someone and we haven't
spoken or written them in months because they are on an around-the-world-trip
for 2008 we won't be asking them for a letter -- even if they are our best
friend. Likewise, we could just meet someone in 2008 -- and maybe only
know that person peripherally -- we'll likely ask them to participate in our
Time Capsule Project.
Decide on whom you want to write to. You can write to one of us. You can write to each of us separately. You can write to both of us in a combined letter. You can write to neither of us.
Please do not feel pressure to write something.
Our hope is to assemble some meaningful, heartfelt wisdom and not “good luck, have a nice life” schmaltz.
OK, so you have decided to participate in our Time Capsule Project. What next?
Here’s what you do:
Think of what you would like to say to us 30 years from now. Think about goals, hopes and dreams.
Download the
Letter to the Future and print it out.
You can also just use plain paper or a Hallmark card if you wish.
Write your letter! Remember to write neatly. We’ll be in our mid-70s when we read what you wrote. Remember that the future today will be our past when we read your letter.
Decide if you want to include anything else with the letter: a photo, memento, etc.
(nothing big, please)
Put everything in an envelope and seal it. Don’t put your name on the envelope. We want to be surprised when we open it and learn whom it is from.
Put that envelope in another envelope (so you can put your return address
on it) and mail it to:
Graham / Stephens
Letter to the Future
1098 Wild Hill Road
Fairlee, VT 05045
Remember to get everything back to us by the end of November. Our Time Capsule
will be sealed on December 7, 2008.
You might be wondering why we are celebrating our 20th anniversary together
when we were only Civil Unioned in 2000.
Although we value the legal rights (at least at the state level) we now share
with other Vermont citizens, that was (and is) why we decided to get Civil
Unioned. Yes, we did go out and rent tuxedos and have a party. Yes,
we did put a lot of energy into the event. But it didn't have the same
value to us as it might to a couple getting married -- we had -- after all --
been together for 12 years prior to gaining the right to a legal recognition of
our relationship.
So we continue to mark our relationship as we had the years prior to getting
Civil Unioned -- the Saturday after Thanksgiving.
