Teen’s ‘letters from heaven’ declared ‘the best birthday...

When our children enter the world, it makes us reflect on our own lives and those of the loved ones who surround us.

It was this thought which encouraged US couple Susie and Ken Van Metre to create a time capsule for their eldest child, Abby, when she was one year old.

With the premise that the capsule would be opened when Abby hit her 18^th birthday, the Van Metres asked their family and close friends to write heartfelt letters to their little one.

With great-grandparents and grandparents among the contributors, naturally some of those precious loved ones have passed on over the years.

This is why, when Abby finally got to open the time capsule on her 18^th birthday a fortnight ago, it was a truly emotional experience for all involved.

Inside, Abby found handwritten ‘letters from heaven’ from loved ones passed on, as well as precious mementos from the year of her birth.

In an interview with ABC News, mum Susie said there wasn’t a dry eye in the house as Abby opened the time capsule, particularly as she read letters from her late grandfather and uncle.

“The letter from my brother and the letter from her grandpa made her sob. It said, ‘I might not be with you here when you are 18, but I’ll always be with you spiritually, just not physically.’”