how to write a love letter

By: Lynette M. Smith

Valentine’s Day has been made almost too easy—a card, flowers, and chocolates for her, and a card and a favorite dinner for him, right?

But you can do so much better than that:

You can shine brightly in your lover’s eyes by writing a heartfelt love letter. It will far outlast the cards, flowers, chocolates, and dinner.

And the truth is knowing how to write a love letter is easy: If you can think or talk, you can write. And stay relaxed…your first draft is for your eyes only.

OK, so ready? Set? Feel the love!

How To Write A Love Letter: The bare-bones basics.

Your love letter can be as simply structured in as few as three paragraphs:

Describe a shared, treasured memory.
Tell one or more things you like and/or admire about your lover. These can be general qualities, or they can be romantic qualities—your choice.
Tell your lover how he or she has had a positive impact on your life, and express your thanks—and love.

Key elements you can include in your love letter are as follows:

You can reminisce about how your relationship first developed. Were you childhood sweethearts? Was it love at first sight, or did love grow gradually? Were you longtime friends before you started dating? What was your best date? How did you first know you were meant to be together? What activities do you especially enjoy together? Was there ever an embarrassing moment in your relationship that you both look back on and laugh at, now? Any inside jokes?

How to write a love letter: Appearance and permanence.

Your goal, besides expressing your heartfelt sentiments in writing, is to have your love letter look special, too.

So when you write a love letter, use nice stationery and strive for permanence. Use archival or acid free paper, if you can; and protect your words from being damaged by high humidity or other accidental moisture.

If you hand-write or hand-print your love letter, use permanent ink. If you compose your love letter on computer, leave room to hand-sign at the bottom and print your letter on a laser printer. If all you have is an inkjet printer, no problem: Inkjet-print on plain white paper and have a local copy center duplicate it (before you sign) onto nice stationery using their toner-based system.

How to write a love letter: Enhancements.

Consider dressing up your love letter with a romantic inspirational quotation at the top or bottom of the letter. If you have a particular talent, such as poetry, art, or music, you can write a poem, make a drawing, painting, or sculpture, or compose a song for your lover to accompany your letter.

Have a different talent? Use it!

How to write a love letter: Packaging and presentation.

If you can deliver your love letter in person, place it unfolded in a large, attractive envelope or in a colorful folder with a photo of the two of you on the front.

Present your letter while having a quiet dinner or drink together in public, or create a romantic dining experience at home. Candles create ambiance, but have enough light to read by. Serve a culinary delight on fine china while wearing a “delightful” outfit selected for the occasion. Your letter can be left in a sealed envelope beside your lover’s place setting, and the PS could even describe your special plans for “dessert” together.

Unable to see your lover in person on Valentine’s Day?

Use Skype at your computer to read it aloud to him or her first. Then prepare your letter for mailing: Insert it, with white cardboard backing for support, into a plastic bag; seal the bag with tape for weatherproofing; insert the bag into a large, neatly addressed envelope; and apply lots of “Love” stamps!

How to write a love letter: After effects.

You’ll love how your romantic love letter of appreciation enhances your relationship!

And remember to tell us how your love letter writing experience goes in the comments below! How did your lover react? Share the love (or funny reactions)!

About the author: In 2012, Lynette M. Smith wrote and published the highly acclaimed comprehensive reference book, How to Write Heartfelt Letters to Treasure: For Special Occasions and Occasions Made Special, available in soft cover and eBook through such major online retailers as Amazon or autographed from www.GoodWaysToWrite.com. Lynette has a Big, Achievable Goal: to get millions of people worldwide to write heartfelt letters of appreciation so they can establish, enhance, and even rebuild their relationships and thus change their world.

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