Special delivery: N.S. sisters exchange same Valentine’s Day card for nearly 4 decades

Maritime sisters show their love – sending the same Valentine’s card back and forth for 36 years.

The gesture of sending holiday cards in the mail has become less of a trend in the age of social media.

However, two sisters from Nova Scotia have been sharing the same card for nearly four decades.

It started in 1989 when Paulette Spicer sent her sister, Judy Barkhouse, a Valentine’s Day card.

“Never expecting to see it again and by surprise, the following year, she sent it back to me,” said Paulette.

The sisters turned the exchange into a yearly tradition, taking turns sending the card to one another every Valentine’s Day.

“It was lost for three years at one point but on the third year, they moved some cupboards around and there was the card behind the cupboard. She was very apologetic,” said Paulette, gesturing towards Judy.

“And we got it going again, so it’s been going ever since. It’s unique and we love it.”

“It means a lot,” said Judy.

Judy says their mother passed away when she was just two years old, making this February tradition even more special.

“So, it’s just a connection her and I have. Sisters, love, meaningful,” said Judy.

“And that was exactly what we had. This special connection, like Judy said. We kind of raised ourselves, the two brothers and six sisters. So, our family’s very close anyway to begin with, and I just wanted her to know how special she was to me,” said Paulette.

Paulette says the exchange becomes more important with each passing year.

“This card, this bond that we have over this card,” Paulette said.

“This is the 36th year and I don’t know if we’re going to run out of space or not … It will probably make it before we go,” said Paulette, as the two sisters laughed with each other.

This year, it’s Paulette’s turn to send out the card.

“So, you’re going to be my special Valentine?” Paulette asked Judy, to which she replied, “You’re darn tootin’.”

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page