A keepsake in the making
Preserve your parents' stories, one text at a time.
We gently text your mom or dad a thoughtful question every few days. Their replies become a private, searchable archive of the stories you'll want to remember forever.
You don't pay a cent until your parent says yes.
No app to download. Works on any phone that can text.
- Private by default
- Never used to train AI
- Export anytime
- Cancel anytime
How it works
Three simple steps. No technology hurdles for your parent.
Sign up in 2 minutes
Enter your parent's name and phone number. Choose how often they'll receive a question.
They say yes
We send a friendly opt-in text explaining you set this up. Nothing happens until they reply YES.
Stories arrive
Every few days they'll get one thoughtful question. Their replies appear in your private dashboard.
Questions that unlock real memories.
Written by storytellers, not chatbots. Each question is designed to spark the kind of answer you'd want to read at their eulogy — except you get to read it now, and talk with them about it.
- “What's the first memory you have? How old do you think you were?”
- “What's a smell that takes you back to being a kid?”
- “How did you meet your spouse or partner?”
- “What do you know now that you wish you'd known at 25?”
Hi Mom! Here's today's question: What's your earliest happy memory from childhood?
Oh goodness. Riding in grandpa's blue pickup, windows down, him singing along to Willie Nelson on the way to get ice cream.
What flavor did you always get? 🍦
A real conversation, one text at a time.
A note from the founder
Last year I became a dad — and it hit me how little I'd actually written down of my own father's stories. The big ones I half-remember; the small ones are already slipping away.
I built In Their Words so a few minutes of texting, every few days, quietly saves the things we always mean to ask about but never get around to. I hope it helps you keep your parents' voice the way I'm trying to keep my dad's.
— Hani, founder
Find the right questions
Curated lists for the person you want to hear from — and the moment you want to capture.
Simple pricing
Free to set up. $9/mo only after your parent says YES.
In Their Words
- • Free to set up — billing starts only after your parent replies YES
- • Unlimited storytellers — mom, dad, grandma, all of them
- • One thoughtful question every few days
- • Photos, voice notes (auto-transcribed) & PDF export
- • Free read-only invites for family
- • Cancel anytime; your archive stays yours
30-day money-back guarantee. Cancel anytime.
Questions, answered
Does my parent need to download an app?
No. Everything happens over regular text messages. If they can text you, they can use In Their Words.
When do I pay?
Never before your parent opts in. We send the opt-in text first; if they don't reply YES, you owe nothing.
What if they don't want to do it?
We send a friendly opt-in message first. Nothing happens unless they reply YES. They can also reply STOP at any time to unsubscribe immediately.
Will my parent think this is spam?
We lead the first text with your name and how you're related, so it reads as coming from you — not a stranger. You can preview the exact message before it sends, and forward them a quick heads-up first. They reply YES to opt in; nothing else arrives until they do, and STOP works anytime.
Can I see the first question before it sends?
Yes. You'll see exactly what we'll text, and you can add a short personal note to their very first question so it arrives in your own voice. Nothing goes out until your parent replies YES.
How often will they get messages?
By default, one question every three days. You can change the frequency in your settings — or pause anytime.
Who can see the responses?
Only you, and anyone you invite. Replies are stored privately and never shared. We use AI to draft gentle follow-up questions, but your parent's words are never used to train AI models.
Can I export the stories?
Yes. You can download a beautifully formatted PDF of all their answers anytime — perfect for printing or gifting.
What if my parent stops responding?
We send one gentle nudge after a few days of silence, then back off. If they go quiet for two weeks, we pause and let you know.
Not ready today?
Leave your email and we'll send a few of our favorite questions to ask — and a gentle nudge before the next birthday or holiday, so the moment doesn't slip by.
No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Start the conversation you'll wish you had.
It takes two minutes to set up. The first story could arrive tomorrow.
Get started