All Because of a Love Note – Natalie June Reilly

Gratitude Changes Everything
-Natalie June Reilly

In All Because of a Love Note, Natalie June Reilly reflects on her relationship with her mother and how it led to a movement of people writing gratitude love notes. The recipients of the handwritten expressions are police officers, veterans, firefighters, and essential workers. Natalie feels especially connected to those who serve the citizens of our country and support our freedom. She subtitled her memoir, How I unwittingly penned my way into the heart of an epic love story while writing thousands of love notes to America\’s heroes.

The love notes, initially for veterans, began on Valentine\’s Day in 2016. Natalie and her mother, Hope, wrote fifty thank you notes, drove around, and passed them out to people they encountered, or they left the notes on vehicle windshields. The intended people were easily recognizable because of their uniforms, license tags, vehicle stickers, and cap emblems. Conversations began, along with heartfelt responses to Natalie and Hope.

On that memorable day, Hope was feeling bad. She\’d been undergoing chemotherapy for terminal cancer. Feeling sorry for her depressed mother, Natalie insisted they sit and write, thinking that gratitude to others would help with Hope\’s mood. Their outing lasted three hours, giving Hope one of her best days of laughter and excitement. They continued the acts of kindness together until Hope could no longer participate. 

The dedication in All Because of a Love Note says:

For Mom, Tonight … we ride

Natalie June Reilly, named after Natalie Wood (her dad\’s Hollywood crush), adored her mother, whose name was Esperanza, Spanish for Hope. Natalie describes her Hispanic beauty as “flawless olive-toned skin and big almond-shaped brown eyes.” Lovingly, Natalie spoke of Hope as “5 foot nothing” because of her petite stature. Natalie\’s tall, blue-eyed dad was told his ancestors \”crossed over on a ship from Switzerland.\” The mixture of traits from her parents – in particular, Natalie\’s eyes – inspired Hope to tell her, “If I had your big, green eyes, I would walk out the door every day looking like Liz Taylor.” Though they thought each other beautiful, their hearts and love for people are what bonded them.

While All Because of a Love Note covers much about Natalie June Reilly\’s relationship with her mother, she also writes about her former husband. She\’s lucky to be one of a few women who had a peaceful divorce and continues to have a friendship with him. Together they raised their sons and are proud of their successful lives.

The love notes led to a relationship with a man she met several years after her divorce. A gratitude love note to (now) retired police officer Christopher Hoyer sparked a conversation. Coincidentally, he was an aspiring author, and Natalie helped him with his book. Chris became her boyfriend and is the other half of the “epic love story” in the subtitle of All Because of a Love Note.

The spontaneous and random notes that began on Valentine\’s Day in 2016 changed lives. Most who received a note expressed how much it meant to them. Natalie has received return letters and displayed some on the website\’s Bread & Butter Letters page. A significant outcome of one of the love notes is a friendship with JD, a man who chased Natalie in a parking lot to thank her after initially shouting at her for leaving what he thought was promotion literature on his vehicle. JD, now a big supporter, works with the Nothing But Love Notes foundation.

For more about Natalie June Reilly\’s book and heartwarming inspiration, or to contact her, visit the Nothing But Love Notes website. The associated Facebook and Instagram accounts are also filled with acts of kindness and photos. 

Plus, view Natalie\’s appearances on Good Morning America and The Kelly Clarkson Show! CNN also featured her in an article. 

Two words saved my life, two modest, but mighty words—THANK YOU! The most compelling chapter of my story began with a Love Note, one simple handwritten gesture of love, Hope and gratitude.

~Natalie June Reilly

Dear Natalie,

Now I Thank You! Book cover postcards are always unique. 🙂
This postcard symbolizes love and gratitude – a perfect addition to my collection. We share the love of a heart symbol. I use them on my daily Instagram story. 

You and your team are doing great work!

Best wishes with your memoir, All Because of a Love Note, and with the growth of Nothing But Love Notes! ❤️

~Anita