Utah company tells a compelling love story through letters - KSL.com

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A Utah-based company is captivating a worldwide audience through a different story telling medium: good, old-fashioned letters that come in the mail.

Hannie and Michael Clark from Pleasant Grove are the couple behind The Flower Letters, a mail-based subscription service that sends bi-monthly letters that tell historical fiction love stories. They first considered sending single love letters but ultimately decided an entire story through letters would be more fun and engaging.

"Getting a letter in the mail is so nostalgic," Hannie said. "There's something about waiting for a letter to arrive, excitedly going to the mailbox and seeing the letter you've been waiting for."

They launched their service in August 2020 with 38 subscribers. Today, the Clarks have 22 employees and have mailed more than 700,000 letters across 36 countries and counting.

Hannie is the creative energy behind the letters. To date she's written four stories and created more than 400 different pieces that are sent with the letters. Michael runs the business and oversees the marketing and operation.

"The good news is we love working together. We both have our strengths and weaknesses, and we're able to help each other make this work." Michael said. "Our biggest challenge is managing growth, which, I guess, is a nice challenge to have."

Without spoiling the stories, here's a peek at what subscribers have been reading — and why they're dashing to their mailboxes every month.

Escape to another time and place

The Flower Letters are more than just letters. According to the website, "Each story collection is packed with historically accurate inserts designed to take you even further into the story, era and experience." These thoroughly-researched stories are set around different time periods and may include old-fashioned postcards, telegrams, coded messages or other fun extras.

"We wanted to make it much more than just letters. Our subscribers are often surprised with how much we put in those little envelopes." Michael said. "We love delighting them with these 'extras' and Hannie has a blast creating them."

Utah company tells a compelling love story through letters — Photo: Everett Collection/Shutterstock.com

It all started with The Audrey Rose collection, which follows the budding romance of Audrey Rose Drollinger and Cpl. Charlie Henderson Burke during World War II. The couple keep up a correspondence throughout the war until D-Day when it's finally revealed whether or not they live happily ever after together.

Since Audrey Rose launched in 2020, the Clark's added three additional stories: a western romance in The Lily Clary Collection, a fantasy adventure with The Norah Aven Chronicles and a step back in time to Jane Austen's England with The Adelaide Magnolia Collection.

"We love history which is why we started with World War II and the Old West. We both have ancenstral ties to each of these eras. Lily Clara takes place is Frisco, UT which has a fascinating history," Hannie said. "Norah Aven is a little break from historical fiction with a fantasy adventure for a younger audience.

But the story doesn't end once you're done reading your letters. The Clarks created an Extended Learning page on their website.

"We want to keep history alive and give people a reason to research these fascinating eras. Our learn pages work hand in hand with the letters," Michael said. " Each letter has prompts and highlights directing readers to the learn page associated with the letters. There are no spoilers on the website, so it's safe to read before letters arrive."

Fall in love with mail one letter at a time

The Flower Letters subscription service is a unique, 12-month immersive experience. Each collection includes 24 beautifully illustrated letters exchanged between a cast of characters telling the story. Subscribers receive two letters each month for an entire year.

The best part is that you never know exactly what you're going to get in the mail. Aside from the letters or telegrams, you might also receive a treasure map or a fact-filled newspaper clipping that enables you to explore the story the way you might if you were actually living in the era with the characters. The anticipation is part of the fun! Some readers subscribe to more than one collection at a time because they just can't get enough.

As Hannie put it, "Something magical happens in a letter."

Valentine's Day sale extended: Take 20% off

A Flower Letters subscription costs $12 a month or $144 for one year, although the Clarks have extended a special 20% discount for their Valentine's Day sale. This makes a great gift for your spouse, a loved one — or even yourself.

Enjoy diving into a historical, romantic and heart-throbbing adventure told through letters today by visiting theflowerletters.com.

The Flower Letters