How to Write a Love Letter

 

Valentine's Day is less that two weeks away, and many of us are either thinking about love letters or probably should be. Of course, not everyone is in the market for love letter advice, but if you are, here are a few tips:

♥ Write from your heart. Write from your true self. Don't try to be someone you're not; just pour your true feelings into the love letter. Express how you feel. This means, don't copy someone else's letter and sign your name to it.

♥ But that doesn't mean you can't use others' words for inspiration or even as support. For example, you might include a favorite quote, love poem or even the words to a song...just be sure to give proper credit to the source. Look at the list below for some ideas where you might find such information.

♥ Do your best. "It's the thought that counts" means you need to put some thought into the process. Try to find some nice paper to write on. Think about what you want to say. Use your best handwriting. That said, your best effort doesn't have to be perfect. Your true love will likely be happy with an "I love you" hand-written on his or her breakfast napkin.

♥ If you're writing a "love letter," make it a love letter...don't just tack on an "I love you" to a regular ol' everyday letter. Make sure your recipient knows this is a special letter. Avoid the mundae.

♥ Write in a positive tone, sharing your love and your reasons for writing. But, refrain from apologizing for not having written sooner or including self-deprecating comments. Write an uplifting letter that conveys the warmth you feel for your beloved.

♥ Include a little something special. Maybe a Valentine's Day card or a picture you've drawn. It doesn't have to be anything expensive or even store-bought, but it can be. A bookmark, a hair ribbon, a recipe clipped from a magazine, a picture of a place where the two of you dream of going. Be creative.

♥ If you have time, send the letter to one of the post offices that has special Valentine's Day postmarks, such as the Loveland, Colorado, postmark above. For more information on that particular postmark, click here. There are others. Although at the time of this blog post, the USPS Newsroom didn't have a 2015 story about Valentine's postmarks, here are links to the 2014 postmark list and the 2013 list. According to the Romeo Observer, the joint According to the Romeo Observer, the joint postmark project with Romeo, Michigan, and Juliette, Georgia, will continue this year. The 2009 version is pictured at right.

And, finally, here are a few links to some sites that might have some inspirational quotes, poems, etc. for your love letter writing endeavor:

The Poetry Foundation's list of love poems
The American Academy of Poets list of love poems
Love quotes on BrainyQuotes
Quote Garden love quotes
Glamour magazine's The 10 Best Love Letters Ever Written
Celebrity Love Letters on Reader's Digest

Good luck with your love letter writing!