7-year-old penned sweet message on toilet roll—35 years later, a stranger's message about her note gave her 'goose pimples'
We do some of the most bizarre things as children to keep our enthusiasm and mischief alive. Writing on random surfaces is one of these shenanigans. While we might mostly recall writing on walls, couches and the floor, others dared to venture to other items to leave a message. A then 7-year-old named Emma Smith wrote a sweet note on a toilet paper roll in her home in West Bridgford, Nottinghamshire, BBC News revealed. Thoughtfully handwritten back in the 1980s, the little girl surely never thought much of what became of it after she grew up and eventually moved. However, decades later, she was stunned by a stranger’s message.
The message was written in an endearing broken cursive all over the roll in a red marker. It read, “My name is Emma,” followed by her birthday. She definitely wanted to make it clear that she was the one behind this note. Further, it read, “Hope you enjoy staying here, love from a friend." A simple note, nothing very grand about it, perhaps not even much thought given at the time of writing. Surprisingly, this toilet roll endured decades and was finally spotted by the present homeowner. Charlotte England-Black moved into the home in February and was cleaning the loft area when she stumbled upon the toilet roll.
Smitten by the idea of a 7-year-old’s message to enjoy her home, she wanted to see if she could trace the writer. "There was a lot of stuff up there and I found amongst it this toilet roll note. I thought, ‘I bet she could easily be found as it'd be nice for her.’ It's just a connection with the past,” Charlotte explained. She shared a picture of the toilet roll on Facebook with the hopes of being reunited with its owner. Soon, social media did its thing and she reached out to Emma Smith, now 43, to help her recollect the adorable note she left behind decades ago.
The woman still lives in Nottingham and was taken aback by the news. It’s certainly a pleasant thought to imagine what it felt like for the adult Emma to find a piece of her childhood, though silly and random. She initially didn’t remember writing the note but said that it was "a funny old blast from the past.” When the current owner of the home reached out to her about the toilet roll, she got “goose pimples.” As for the precious note, why it was written on a toilet roll and if it ever had anything more than its intended message will forever be a mystery. "I don't remember doing the toilet roll thing and why I chose the toilet roll; we'll forever be wondering,” Smith said.
Nevertheless, the item did its job in taking the woman back down memory lane, recalling nostalgic bits of her childhood in that home. Charlotte was delighted to have reunited with the writer but plans to return the roll to its original place. She hopes it can endure a few more decades for a future owner and give them the same joy she received. "I don't know if we're still here in another 35 years, but whoever's in the house then might find it," she remarked.