New spin on snail mail by St. Thomas, Ont., father-son duo draws people into Canadian adventures

London Chris Heil, left, and his son Zack Paquin, holding some of the stationery used in their business.(Chris Heil) A still from a video created by Once Upon a Letter that shows off the packaging of the letters and an example of the various items included in the envelopes.(Once Upon a Letter) New spin on snail mail by St. Thomas, Ont., father-son duo draws people into Canadian adventures Subscribers can expect to receive 24 letters a year, on a bi-weekly basis Chris Heil of St. Thomas, Ont., wrote letters to his wife years ago when cellphones were too expensive and he was out West pursuing his education. He recalls how much can be said with just a letter and the anticipation one feels while waiting for a response. Now, Heil is hard at work channelling letter writing into a unique business he started with his son. "Back in August 2025, we noticed a growing desire for meaningful, screen-free entertainment and something that feels personal," said Heil. The business, Once Upon a Letter, tells stories that let readers peer through a window into the lives of fictional characters from the outside in, conveyed through the mail they send. "What started as a creative side project quickly evolved into a full-fledged storytelling venture," Heil said. He added that when his son, Zachary Paquin, was laid off from a job working Alberta's oilsands, the two agreed it was something they had to try. Each customer who subscribes to the service receives one letter every two weeks for an entire year. The latest story, a romance set during the last year of the Second World War II, follows the correspondence between Edward Bennett, a Canadian soldier sent to aid in the liberation of Europe, and his wife Margaret, who lives in Halifax. "It's told in the first person," Heil said. "It's basically letters between Edward and his wife, Maggie. They’re sending letters back and forth about their lives and the things they experience." In the same envelope, the letter is accompanied by photographs and additional reading, including historical facts about the period. For example, a preview letter that's available to prospective customers frames itself as a note left by Edward for Maggie before he leaves for war. "I may already be gone, but know that my heart remains here with you," the letter reads. "Light your candle in the window as you promised, and I will find my way back to it." With one story available now, more are coming. One is a horror story told through letters written by an archaeologist in Egypt. The other comes in the form of letters written by Richard Dawson, an Ontario farmer who, due to financial hardship, left home to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway in the Canadian West. Writing letters is challenging, but rewarding For Heil and Paquin, stepping into the shoes of these characters and writing letters in their voices has been a new and interesting challenge. The collaborative effort includes extensive proofreading and...

Preview: ~500 words