Here are several of the major wireless carriers, and their format for sending text messages.  Most carriers allow sending to multiple email addresses, by separating each one with a comma.  Note that each has limits on the amount of characters you can send.  These formats, and character limits are subject to change, and should be verified with your wireless carrier.

Try sending yourself a short text message from your email client to confirm the email address for your cell phone.  Assuming that you were able to confirm the email address for your cell phone, (or any email enabled device) what are some other uses?

You can receive personalized alerts, or messages from Airlines, Hotels, Banks, Rental Car agencies and more.  A good place to start might be Yahoo.  You can select High/Low limits and get alerts if your stock trips a limit.  Yahoo, Delta, Marriott, Washington Mutual, and UPS are just a few examples of companies that can send messages to any device with an email address.

Here is a real-life example of an completely automated, closed-loop process that provides confirmation when completed.

(1) Recurring Electronic Funds Transfer (REFT) allow me to automatically schedule, and transfer funds from my bank to my daughter's account each month while she is in college. (2) My bank sends an acknowledgment of that transfer. (3) A filter in my email client recognizes that acknowledgment, and (4) the filter instructs my email client to send a text message to my daughters cell phone, Subject: "Deposit Made". I don't worry about my daughter missing her rent, because I am out of town on business, or forgot.