The perfect love letter escapes many of us because we overthink it. Writing down your thoughts and feelings instead of saying them aloud can be intimidating and challenging. However, it is well worth the effort… and the reward? Let’s just say you won’t be sorry you put yourself out there and professed your love. (wink-wink)
Love Letters are cherished and often saved for generations.
I recently began the arduous duty of going through old boxes as I took them out of storage. I came across letters from old ‘loves’ from high school through college. When I saved them, I didn’t think much about it, but holding those letters in my hand and remembering the author, his words, and hearing his voice in my head was priceless. There were no cell phones, no social media, and no voicemail. Just paper, a pen, and a stamp. A 15-cent stamp, to be exact. As I read the letters, I could hear their voices.
I saved the cards my late husband sent me over the years. I find serenity in them, and his love brings peace and fuels me when I write a love letter for someone. He never thought he was good at it, but he was the master.
How to write a love letter
Writing a love letter can be intimidating and riddled with fear- your fear. The recipient will be enamored with your effort and words. Take a pencil and map out the key points you want to cover. Perhaps the letter is being penned to your soon-to-be wife after she said YES! A love letter can express deep feelings of joy and awe after the birth of a child. The possibilities are endless. So, how do you write a love letter?
The opening line. The greeting needs to grab their attention (and heart), so you do not want the first words to sound like you are writing to your grandmother. Skip the “Dear” and use your nickname for them. If it is awkward to say, “To my love…” then you certainly do not want to write it.
First paragraph. By now, the recipient is thinking, “hmmm, what is happening here?”. Begin by saying why you are writing this letter. Be authentic and speak from your heart. Do not Google for inspiration. This is yours and yours alone, so authenticity must be present.
The heart of the letter. There are no rules to writing a love letter. It can be for a special occasion or no reason at all. Be specific when referencing an event. Expand a bit more on “the great afternoon we had on the lake” to ‘spending a sunbaked lazy afternoon in the sun holding hands as we read the NY Times….” Get it?
Good Housekeeping wrote an article quoting a book author on her view of writing a love letter:
For Gina Hamadey, who wrote her husband a thank-you note each day for a month before writing her new book, I Want to Thank You, getting specific became even more important. She focused on things like her husband playing music in the house to set the mood for the day or making really good eggs and coffee. “The most effective love letter is the one that shines a light on the person and all they are doing,” she points out. We agree!
Just a few words about your love. When I think about my husband, I can list a thousand reasons why I loved him. I smile just typing this. Of course, you love that person, but why? Is it the way they make a pizza, hug your dog, or lament over choosing the perfect birthday present? Tell them in detail.
Write a phenomenal closing. You have built up your thoughts, feelings, and perhaps desires, so now what? Close the deal! Ask for the date. Profess your love. Love letters can say I’m sorry too. I promise those letters will go a long way.
It’s okay if you need help writing a love letter.
So, don’t judge yourselves too harshly. Someone you love is waiting to read your precious words, learn of your thoughts and cherish them for years to come. It takes a bit of confidence and some time actually to start, but then let the juices flow.
If you read this and think, I can’t do this, that’s ok. I can. Give me 30 minutes of your time and book a free consultation. The holidays are coming, and giving a love letter can make you a rock star; your true love will be amazed, and it beats a pair of sox! Click on the QR code below to read more…
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