A picture may be worth a thousand words, but in a day and age where pictures are plentiful and the written word a lost art, a handwritten letter is worth a thousand pictures. Take that handwritten letter a step further and make it a love letter, and you’ve got yourself a priceless memento that your significant other will cherish forever.
Classic romantic movies like The Notebook and P.S. I Love You feature professions of love via heartfelt, well-written letters. And while they serve as great points of inspiration for your love letter, especially ahead of Valentine's Day, they can also be intimidating. It’s important to remember that you don’t have to be a modern-day Shakespeare or Nicholas Sparks to pour out your feelings succinctly and sweetly in a love letter.
To write a beautiful love letter, you just need to remember a few simple things to help you draw those feelings out from your heart and onto your page.
How to start your love letter.
The hardest part of writing a love letter, or any piece of writing for that matter, is getting started. But we can assure you that once you get a good start, the words will flow onto your page like a rushing river. Start strong with a tender greeting such as "Dear (name)," "To my love," "Dear Darling," or "To the man/woman I love." You can even start by greeting them with an endearing nickname for a more personalized touch. Continue by describing why you're writing the letter, whether it's simply because you want to express your overwhelming love or for a specific occasion like an anniversary, birthday, or Valentine's Day. This will serve as a jumping point for you to tap into deeper expressions of love and gratitude in subsequent paragraphs.
What to include in your love letter.
Reflect on romantic memories
Mark Twain famously said, “Write what you know,” and we suggest you do the same when writing a love letter! Reminisce about special moments you've shared in great detail, describing how the sounds, sights, and conversations made you feel and impacted you and your relationship. You can even talk about the first time you met, going into detail on what your partner wore, said, and did at that time that led to your subsequent love story. Revisit the joyous occasions, challenges overcome together, and the simple pleasures that have strengthened your bond to paint a nostalgic and intimate picture with your words.
Express genuine feelings
Instead of just complimenting superficial attributes your partner has, go deeper and explain why you love and appreciate those things about them. Explain how their ability to calm you down or make you laugh in tough situations makes you feel safe and loved, for example, rather than just calling them comforting or funny. You can also share how specific qualities and experiences deepen your connection. And don’t worry about using flowery language or prose if it doesn’t feel natural to you. It’s about what you say, not how you say it, so the more genuine and personal your words, the more impact they will have.
A sincere closing phrase
Like any good piece of writing, the conclusion of your love letter is just as important as the beginning and middle. End your letter with a powerful, affectionate closing to reinforce your love and commitment. “I love you” is a classic way to end a letter of this nature, but there are several other sweet phrases, like “forever yours,” “all my love,” “forever and always,” “with all my love,” or “yours always,” that work great too.
Tips for writing a love letter.
Personalize it
Think about the kinds of things your partner likes to read or watch. Do they love short poems with lots of rhymes or long, deep streams of consciousness? Do they appreciate humor or something more serious? As we mentioned previously, specific anecdotes or compliments about your loved one also add a personalized touch to the letter. For example, don’t be afraid to include your favorite things about them in the letter, even if it’s as simple as the color of their eyes, so the recipient knows how special and unique they are to you!
Don’t neglect the details
Yes, the words you write in your letter are the star of the show, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun playing with the aesthetics of your letter if that’s more your style! Experiment with different types of stationery, cardstock, and pens. For example, you could use a piece of paper that’s your significant other’s favorite color with a complementary colored pen! You can even include stickers or a lipstick kiss mark within the letter for a fun touch!
Take your time and relax
The most important tip to ensure your love letter writing process goes smoothly is to relax. Being vulnerable can be stressful and scary, and it’s okay to feel that way, especially if you’ve never done this before. Allow yourself the time to sit with those feelings and remember why you’re doing this in the first place: to show them how much you love and care about them concretely!
Nitya Rao
Nitya Rao is the editorial assistant at The Pioneer Woman, covering stories ranging from food, fashion, beauty, lifestyle, news, and more.
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
As an expert in the art of love letters, I can confidently say that a handwritten letter holds a timeless charm that cannot be replicated by any other form of communication. In today's world, where visual content dominates our screens, a handwritten letter stands out as a precious and meaningful keepsake.
To truly understand the power of a love letter, we can draw inspiration from classic romantic movies like The Notebook and P.S. I Love You, where heartfelt and well-written letters play a pivotal role in expressing deep emotions. These movies remind us that you don't have to possess the literary prowess of Shakespeare or Nicholas Sparks to write a beautiful love letter.
When starting your love letter, the hardest part is often getting started. However, once you find the right words, they will flow onto the page effortlessly. Begin with a tender greeting such as "Dear (name)," "To my love," "Dear Darling," or "To the man/woman I love." You can even add a personalized touch by using an endearing nickname. Clearly state the reason for writing the letter, whether it's to express your overwhelming love or to commemorate a special occasion like an anniversary, birthday, or Valentine's Day. This will provide a foundation for you to delve into deeper expressions of love and gratitude in the subsequent paragraphs.
When writing your love letter, reflect on the romantic memories you've shared. Mark Twain once said, "Write what you know," and we believe this applies to love letters as well. Recollect the special moments in great detail, describing the sounds, sights, and conversations that made those moments memorable. Take your partner back to the first time you met, vividly describing what they wore, said, and did, as it led to your beautiful love story. Revisit joyous occasions, challenges overcome together, and the simple pleasures that have strengthened your bond. By painting a nostalgic and intimate picture with your words, you will create a heartfelt connection.
To make your love letter truly impactful, express genuine feelings. Rather than superficial compliments, delve deeper and explain why you love and appreciate specific attributes of your partner. For example, instead of simply calling them comforting or funny, explain how their ability to calm you down or make you laugh in tough situations makes you feel safe and loved. Share how their unique qualities and shared experiences have deepened your connection. Remember, it's not about flowery language or prose; it's about the sincerity and personal touch behind your words.
Just as the beginning and middle are important, so is the conclusion of your love letter. End with a powerful and affectionate closing to reinforce your love and commitment. While "I love you" is a classic way to end, there are several other sweet phrases that work great too, such as "forever yours," "all my love," "forever and always," "with all my love," or "yours always." Choose a closing phrase that resonates with your emotions and relationship.
Here are a few tips to make your love letter even more special:
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Personalize it: Consider your partner's preferences. Do they enjoy poetry, humor, or something more serious? Incorporate their interests and include specific anecdotes or compliments about them in the letter. Let them know how special and unique they are to you.
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Don't neglect the details: While the content of your letter is crucial, don't forget to have fun with the aesthetics. Experiment with different types of stationery, cardstock, and pens. Use your partner's favorite color paper or add a complementary colored pen. You can even include stickers or a lipstick kiss mark within the letter for a playful touch.
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Take your time and relax: The most important tip is to relax and allow yourself to be vulnerable. Writing a love letter can be intimidating, especially if you've never done it before. Take the time to reflect on your feelings and remember the purpose of the letter – to express your love and care for your partner concretely.
In conclusion, a handwritten love letter possesses a magical quality that transcends time and technology. With a few simple guidelines and a heartfelt approach, you can create a love letter that your significant other will cherish forever. So, pick up that pen, let your feelings flow, and create a priceless memento of love.
