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I have a few, but not because Im hung up on the past. I think its just to look back and see how I affected people. Its nice to know you have meant so much to people & have been loved. I have a loving boyfriend now, and was thinking of burning everything in the fireplace. Just havent gotten around to it yet.

I believe that folks who keep these sentimental articles get a lot of joy from the way they prompt them to fully relive the moment. It is surprisingly nice for the adult children to have this insight into their parents as a real people with real history when they find or are shown these things later in life too.

I wish my mother had shared her mementos with me while she was alive... I came to know her in a whole new way when I found them.

Personally, I am not a keeper of past tokens.

I think the main reason I didn't keep this stuff is because I was on the move too much as a young adult. Move across country enough and you learn to lighten your household load with utter ruthlessness. At the time it was not particularly difficult, but I do regret not having stored some of it now, if only for the kids and grand kids.

I used to keep old love letters, cards and other memorabilia. Sometimes they were comfort to know that person had once felt that way about me. Most times they were painful reminders of love lost.

I grew to feel that whatever happened. My memories were embedded enough surrounding that relationship. I didn't need any reminders. So when a relationship would end. I would preform an exorcism on the house. Boxing up every reminder of them. When I was ready to completely let go, I would throw them out, burn them.

Most people feel this is a cleansing process. I did. I don't regret many times riding myself of these items. Because I still have my memories.

I have a small box of old high school love letters from my ex. I have all our pic's in the same box. We dated from 2000-200-3. He's two years younger than me. I graduated in 01 and him in 03. We went to all the events like couples do: Prom, dances, etc... He was and is still the lead singer of a band. He preformed at school talent things and backyard shows etc... Well our relationship ended in Jul 03 and I found someone else in Aug of 03. We are dating now, but I hold on to all our past letters and photo's in our memory box thing. I can't though them away! But now my boyfriend has brought a new tradition to my attention. To get rid of the box when we tie the knot! His and mine. Not sure I'll regret it, but prom pic and important pic, I think I'll give to my mom. She said she wants them anyway! I don't want them because the make me hurt (only b/c now my ex is dating my boy's sister!!!, SO we see each another all the time now! GRRR...) But how funny this is... I use to live at my boy's parents house and have all my crap over there. Well, we moved out left a couple things at the house (That box inperticular and other things). When I went back to pick up more things, I found the box looked though. Someone went though it! I think it was him! Not sure though. I don't think his girl would because she can't stand the idea that we where together! So, I think it was him looking back on the pictures. I even found some of them missing! hummm... Curious! lol.... Well, They will all burn one day!

I usually throw old love letters out. I don't have a ritual or anything, but some days when I'm frustrated, I just tear them up.

I, however, do keep old photographs. Because they are time stamps in my life that I feel are worthy of hanging on to. :)

I did get rid of my letters and I wish I hadn't. It was a very important part of who I was and am. I was in just so much pain I couldn't bear having them around , sort of like an emotional exorcism. I wish I had them now , for my children to have when I am gone to understand their father and I did once love each other and they were conceived in that love no matter what happened later.

When I was a teenager I did. As I grew older I threw them away. I do not think it was a way to hold on to memories because they are inside of me. I just think that when I was younger it made me feel closer to them. Even some sort of a contest between friends or something. LL.

No I do not keep them. I might hold on to them for a bit but they all get tossed shortly after. No reason to dwell in the past.

I've kept the ones that my husband has written to me, but none of the others.

no.... it brings in memories that have no relation to the present... life moves on... not all things happen as per your choice or liking...