Co-op members know that REI is a distinct type of firm: Not solely can you will discover top-quality gear and a variety of experience to assist your out of doors adventures, however a go to to REI can even begin lifelong household tenting traditions, enable you hike to extra breathtaking locations and perhaps, in the event you’re as fortunate as some members, introduce you to that particular particular person. (Don’t fear: Professional retailer employees might help you purchase a tent for 2 when the time’s proper.)
Through the years, REI members and clients have despatched in heartfelt handwritten notes (and emails, too) sharing how the co-op and wider REI neighborhood have touched their lives. You could be stunned to listen to that fairly a couple of letters arrive each month—they’re postmarked from all around the nation, despatched by all sorts of out of doors adventurers, from champion campers to budding backpackers and all the pieces in between. REI admin Jessica Schmidt fastidiously reads, data after which arranges to retailer handwritten playing cards and letters within the Co-op Dwelling Archive, a group of traditionally and culturally important items of co-op historical past. (The archive consists of greater than 35,000 digitized pictures, 410 reels of movie and 1000’s of paperwork, together with European journey logs written by REI co-founders Lloyd and Mary Anderson within the Sixties, after they had been sourcing gear for the shop.)
For this ongoing Pricey REI sequence, we requested co-op historian Will Dunn to pick out a few of his favourite current letters Schmidt has processed from the REI neighborhood. Listed below are only a few of the member tales from our mailbag.
Storage Sale meet-cute
Part of our connection
S’extra enjoyable for us (and Pippin)
“Hello, REI! We’re getting married on the Crimson River Gorge this yr & are big followers of yours! You might be our go to for supplying all the pieces we want for our out of doors adventures. We’re retaining our fingers crossed for a future REI in Louisville, KY, however for now we’ll see you on the Cincinnati location! Thanks for being an superior firm. 
” – Rachel, Darren & Pippin
A date evening vacation spot
“Pricey REI, We’re each very outdoorsy folks and it’s one of many issues we consider is a staple of our relationship. We completely love occurring dates wandering round your shops. Thanks for all of the mems!” – B+D
Marriage is in tents
Simply appeared like a traditional day to me!” – MelissaThank you sooo a lot!
“We love REI a lot! Like soooo a lot! REI is a date evening for us! Love y’all!”
On shared hikes and lasting love
“We met on a hike in Hawaii whereas bonding over our love of REI!!! 5 yrs later right here we’re! 
” – Maya & Jacob
That’s one technique to method romance (just a bit climbing humor)
“Pricey REI – Three years in the past, Tom + I had our first date at a rock climbing health club, which completely set the tone of our relationship. We love taking our 3 canine out mountain climbing, tenting, + exploring as many Nationwide Parks as we will. That’s why we needed to symbolically invite you to our marriage ceremony – we’ll be totally outfitted in REI gear for our honeymoon in Yosemite!” – Ashlyn + Tom
A wholesome obsession in Colourful Colorado
“REI, You’ve got turn out to be a brand new obsession for us after shifting to Colorado. We’re so supportive of REI as an organization.”
Our first cease on the way in which to journey
“Pricey REI, We, as a pair, like to hike and camp along with our two canine. You might be our first cease for gear! ♡♡ Your customer support and useful data is past examine. Thanks to your shared love of the outside and serving to us have the perfect instances of our lives.” – Kayla + Ryan
Bringing folks collectively—outdoors
“Pricey Sir or Madam, REI will all the time maintain a particular place in our hearts, as you could have offered gear for numerous adventures throughout our courting life. There’s nothing like the outside to convey folks collectively, and REI has performed an enormous position in bringing us shut!” – Tyrel and Adi
The enjoyment of introducing new members
“As avid campers right here in Michigan, REI is considered one of our all-time favourite locations. We will all the time discover one thing each time we cease in. Any probability we get to introduce somebody to you is like music to our ears. We admire you!” – Kristy & Megan
Wish to write to REI Co-op?
We love listening to from you. Whether or not you could have a shaggy dog story from a tenting journey, a thanks for a retailer worker or a love letter a few favourite piece of drugs, drop us a line.
Tackle mail to REI Co-op at 1700 forty fifth Avenue E, Suite 101, Sumner, WA 98390. Or e mail your story to stories@rei.com.
The put up Dear REI: Letters from Co-op Members appeared first on Uncommon Path – An REI Co-op Publication.