Special Delivery: Human Connection

If this doesn't speak to the fact that we're all just looking for some real human connection, I don't know what would.

Chicago artist Charlie Dean started his own postal service, as Block Club Chicago reported. Drop a handwritten message in his wooden mailbox in Logan Square, and Charlie will deliver it in person, uniform and all. The catch? He reads it out loud to your recipient. It's free, there are no geographic limits, and delivery takes anywhere from 1 to 58 weeks.

Dean admits it can be a little awkward, but isn't that the point? He told Block Club the awkwardness is part of the charm. One of his first deliveries was simply to tell someone at a nearby coffee shop that they had colorful pants. With no other details to go on, he ended up telling several strangers they had nice pants.

In our digital world, we've removed nearly all boundaries. We freely put our lives out there for strangers to see. But when it comes to face-to-face interaction, we're all clams. It takes a guy in a postal uniform to say out loud what most of us would rather type, or not say at all.

I'm a sucker for anyone who breaks the mold. Dreamers and makers are my favorite people. I wish I were more of one myself.

Maybe that's the takeaway. You don't need Charlie to deliver your message. Say the nice thing out loud. Tell the stranger you like their pants.