From OK to Yes!

My daughter gave this to me, so I guess I'll do it. I can't imagine what else she could possibly wants to know about me. But Ok, let's do it.

I hear this a lot. Whether they're self-described open books or regular Joe's, they predict this letter will be an exercise in repetition or just plain boring. But guess what? As we move through our three conversations they become more and more invested. And by the end, clients go from hesitant to fully in. 

After our phone conversations, before the letter's complete, they'll say something like "I don't know what you're going to do with everything we've talked about. I’m not sure it amount to anything."  I actually love hearing that. When the letter’s drafted, I read it aloud so the client can take it all in. Just after the Love, Mom or Love, Dad sign-off, there's a long pause. Then:

Wow. I don't know how you did it. You captured everything we talked about. It's wonderful.

Or as Ed said, "Hearing my letter read to me -- this is the most sentimental I’ve ever felt in my life." 

David's sisters gave him a Family Love Letters gift for his 70th birthday. Like many people I work with, he had no idea what to expect but graciously took a leap of faith. Here's what he had to say:

“I can't thank you enough for guiding me through such an incredible experience. You were so supportive and made the process and letter really flow. I have told my sisters that this might be the greatest gift I have ever received." Thank you, David, for taking that leap! 

Your parents may tell lots of stories or none at all. Either way, I'm pretty certain they have the same reaction as David.