Valentine’s Day is a wonderful reminder to tell the important people in your life you love them. Each person has their own way of showing others how they feel whether it be words, actions, gifts or a combination of these three and possibly others. I personally never get tired of good old fashioned love letters when it comes to expressing my feelings! I’m going to share the five steps I follow when it’s time to write the perfect love letter, and I hope you follow along.
1. Choose Your Weapons
Do you want to scribble your sincere feelings on lined notebook paper in the heat of the moment conveying to your valentine that you were liable to explode if you didn’t get your feelings written down right that second? Perhaps you’d prefer to compose with an ink pen of a carefully chosen color, on stationery that you know will make your valentine’s heart flutter when they think of the care and planning you put into making them feel special.
The paper you write on, the fabric you puffy paint on, the program you type and design on, or the stage you set in-person to recite your confession of love is all up to you! There is no right answer, so choose based on what you think they’ll love, and what will remind them of you.
2. Tell Them Why You Love Them
This person is special to you and you see them in a unique light; show them what you see! The best compliments are sincere, specific, and individualized. Choose something you truly love about them and make sure to personalize the compliment so they know you crafted your words just for them.
If your valentine is kind, you could tell them “You are the sweetest person I’ve ever met” or even better you could tell them “You inspire me to be kinder to others, and I love the way you check in on people who may need someone to talk to.” You can also include an anecdote describing a time or conversation when they expressed a trait you admired, such as “I remember the time the power went out and I had to go check on my younger brother across town. I was definitely uncomfortable driving but you offered to drive and take me with you without a second thought. I love how courageous and selfless you are.”
3. Thank Them for the Ways They Show Their Love For You
Tell them how much their presence in your life is appreciated. Just like you would love to receive a “thank you” for this masterpiece of a letter you are writing, your valentine will surely be delighted to know that you see all the effort they make for you! Take a few lines to express that their time spent helping you, comforting you, romancing you and much more has not gone unnoticed. “Thank you for doing or saying [insert the amazing things they do for you]. It makes me feel [happy, seen, loved, less stressed, etc.] and impacts my life by [giving me more time with you, letting me focus on school and succeed, making my mornings a delight, etc.]” Again, sincerity is key.
4. Give Them Hope for the Future
I always end my letters with a glimpse into my heart and mind of what I hope the future will hold for us. Here you can make a promise, propose a plan, or affirm your commitment. Be as serious and vulnerable as you feel comfortable. This is where you can take a leap. Be bold, be romantic, be silly, and be truthful. Promise to always hold their hand at the movies, or propose to visit three new places next year together, you can even say that you love being their lover, daughter, friend, or human companion (cats like love letters too!), and you hope that you can be in their life for a very long time.
5. Add An Extra Surprise!
The last thing I do is include a little something extra. Think of something that reminds you of them or that will remind them of you. Spritz a significant scent on the paper, attach a teabag from their favorite coffee shop, or print out a photo of the two of you.
Let your personality and the uniqueness of your relationship with this person shine through. Don’t be afraid to find inspiration online, from the great love poems in the library, or from your grandparents’ old love letters, as long as you keep your special person in mind and make sure they feel seen as an individual. As with any labor of love, it’s absolutely the thought that counts!
