Four years ago, Natalie Reilly began filling her life with love.
Now the Arizona native always wakes up feeling thankful, especially because of the brave first responders who keep so many people safe. But she doesn’t just think it – she makes sure they know they’re appreciated with simple yet powerful acts of kindness.
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Natalie’s mission began in 2016 while her mother was battling cancer. They both needed a dose of positivity, so on Valentine’s Day, they decided to spread a little goodness by handing out thank-you notes to first responders.
“Together, we reignited the old tradition of handwriting love notes to our heroes – veterans, law enforcement officers, firefighters, and the like,” Natalie wrote. “It didn’t take us long to realize we were onto something special!”
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Natalie’s mom has since passed away, but her legacy lives on in her daughter’s beautiful movement, “Nothing But Love Notes.”
Every day, Natalie writes and delivers these sweet notes to our nation’s heroes. Sometimes, she brings them in person. Other times, she leaves them on strangers’ windshields. Regardless, they always arrive at the right moment.
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“It seems like Natalie’s notes find people on bad days or just long days when you’re tired and drained, and it kind of recharges you,” said Sgt. Zachary Astrup of the Buckeye Police Department.
Natalie has seen too many of these touching moments to count. “You give them these cards, and they literally break down,” she explained. “It’s beautiful because I think sometimes the strongest ones need it the most.”
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She’s sent more than 20,000 notes so far, and she won’t be stopping anytime soon. After all, they’ve only led to good things, and she thinks of her mother fondly with each word she writes.
As if that weren’t enough, she even fell in love with a retired police officer who received one of her letters! Plus, her movement has inspired communities across the country to send notes of their own.
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What a wonderful way to make the world a kinder place! Let’s all take a page out of Natalie’s book and thank our own local heroes.
Learn more about this movement of love in the video below, and share this story to spread the word.
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