Who doesn't feel a rush of joy when they open a handwritten card or letter received in the mail? Many of us rediscovered the simple, yet powerful pleasures of keeping in touch with pen, paper and a postage stamp during the pandemic.

Later this month, everyone across America - and around the globe - is invited to send a card, deliver a smile and together create a much-needed wave of happiness during Thinking of You Week. Celebrated September 20 to 26, Thinking of You Week is an international movement to celebrate the joy of sending and receiving hand-written notes and greeting cards. Launched in the United Kingdom in 2014, the celebration was brought to the U.S. by the Greeting Card Association in 2018.

Adding to the celebration this year, the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) will adorn first class mail with a special postmark dedicated to the global event throughout the month of September. And more fun still, USPS will be releasing awesome new "Message Monsters" stamps to coincide with Thinking of You Week. USPS describes the stamps as "the most playful, participatory postage stamps ever -- stamps that welcome you to customize a collection of cute and crazy critters. They'll ride through the mail, adapted by you, adding mirth to your messages."

You don't need a reason to send a hand-written note or card, do it just because you want friends and family to know you're thinking of them. The charming little Message Monsters, with their companion emojis included on the self-adhesive sheet, will make the sending as much fun as the receiving. And if you really need more reasons to cut through all the digital clutter with a pen, paper and smile that can be touched, know that you will also be supporting all the graphic artists, printers, publishers and small businesses in the business of sharing greetings for all occasions.

What better way to let someone know you're thinking of them than to send a note or a card, along with funny, friendly monsters to guide your love through the mail?

Message Monster Forever Stamps can be pre-ordered from the USPS at usps.com/stamps.