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In high school I checked out a book about shorthand because I thought the skill might help me in my future career as a journalist.

I never actually learned shorthand, though those of you who have had a face-to-face interview with me or sat next to meet at a conference or hospital event might think otherwise. The chicken scratch I scribble on my “professional reporter’s notebook” may look like shorthand but it is in fact just poor handwriting.

Handwriting has never been my strong suit. I remember third grade as though it were yesterday. Every day during the handwriting segment I would be the last person to turn in my assignment. And the finished product always looked subpar.

By high school I joined the debate team, where I learned to write fast to take notes of the opponents’ arguments. At this point, I abandoned all hopes of good handwriting.

So, last weekend, when my friend Rachel asked me to help address envelopes for her wedding invitations I understandably became nervous. No one has ever asked me to do this task. I’ve helped cut cakes, decorate reception halls, pass out programs, but never address envelopes.

I’m a bridesmaid in Rachel’s wedding, so I felt it was my duty to help address these envelopes. I wish I could say through intense concentration my handwriting became beautiful and the carefully scripted addresses looked like artwork.

Unfortunately, after two hours of addressing, my handwriting looked as much like my handwriting as it ever has. Slightly better than the notes I take for work but not any improvement on the assignments I turned in during third grade.

That night as we helped prepare and sample food for the wedding reception, I noticed the interaction between Rachel and her soon-to-be husband, Stephan. As I caught a glimpse of the look they shared, I realized my poor handwriting didn’t matter because their wedding invitations were sealed with love.

Daily tasks often seem daunting, and there are always certain skills that will never be perfected. But in the end that’s not what matters. Whether it’s addressing envelopes, typing continuing education listings or organizing medical charts, at the end of the day these tasks are only a means to the end of sharing our talents, time and true self with others