While it may not always come naturally to express our feelings of love verbally to our significant others, it’s important not just to see love through actions, but to hear them as an expression of what is in our partner’s heart. Although we may have great intentions of declaring our love and may even have an idea of what we will say, it is easy to freeze up and forget what we wanted to convey to them once they are right in front of us, waiting with baited breath. This is where an age-old tradition might come in handy: the love letter.
Elvis Presley
Love Letters Straight from your Heart
Love letters were a huge deal back when soldiers would report for duty and leave their significant other for months (and sometimes even years) at a time, and letters often provided their only means of communication with one another. In our modern era of text messages, email and social media, love letters and handwritten correspondence in general have fallen by the wayside. However, there is a magical quality to love letters that technology will never replace, as they are tangible objects that can be tucked away and reread again and again, so it’s no wonder they are often cherished for years after they are received. They are a wonderful tool to establish a record of your history together.
With all of that said, the tips below should help you bring out your romantic side as you pen your love letter. Remember, none of us are promised tomorrow, so express your love today!
First, declare the objective of your letter
To ensure the purpose of your love letter is clear, start with something like, “I was overcome today with the feeling that I don’t tell you enough just how much I love you and what you mean to me, so I decided to change that starting with this letter.”
Reminisce about a special memory
Because each couple and the history they share is one-of-a-kind, reminding your special someone about a unique memory or experience you shared will bring on the warm fuzzies, whether it was the chance encounter that brought you together, skydiving or a picnic in the park.
Transition to a segment where you talk about all the things you love about them.
Shift from the past and into the present with a transition like, “And now more than five years after our first kiss at that concert, I am more in love with you than ever.” It may be helpful to make a separate list of traits you love about your significant other, such as personality, physical attributes and thoughtful things they do for you, and then use the list to inspire your next lines.
Express how your life has improved since meeting one another, then confirm your love and commitment
“The time that we have spent together has been the best years of my life, and I feel blessed to know you are always here for me, no matter what we have going on in our lives. I want you to know I will remain faithfully yours and my love for you will go on forever.”
Finish with a line that sums up your feelings
Something like, “I look forward to growing old, as long as you are by my side,” or, “I am so lucky to have a partner who is also my best friend, and I am excited to share the rest of my life with you,” will definitely get the point across.
Remember, a love letter gives you the chance to show your significant other how much you truly care, sometimes in a more passionate tone than is expressed in our everyday lives. You can get a little silly or mushy as long you remain authentic and write straight from the heart. Sounding contrived might be worse than no love letter at all!
