“You’re the cream in my coffee!”

February  4, 2011

America’s favorite way to say: “I love you” is with a love letter!

When asked “what do you want most for Valentine’s Day?” The majority of women answered, “A love letter!” Then came diamonds, next roses, and finally chocolates!

Handwritten love letters are keepsakes. They capture the moment and say: “You are worth the time and thought involved here.”  A handwritten love note is private and enduring, not like an e-mail or a text message. Remember a message sent from the office e-mail can be read by everyone. And no one saves affectionate e-mails tied in a red ribbon.

Margaret Shepherd offers us some marvelous pointers-

• Maintain a sense of humor. Keep things light.  You don’t want your love to feel like a burden.  Include a cartoon or a joke if that fits.
• Be real. Be yourself. Stay natural and express your feelings. Often it may actually be easier to say: “I love you” on paper than in person. Choose your words carefully. Remember, what you write down endures.  Be carefree, not careless!  You don’t want your words to embarrass you later on.
• Finding the right words – TRY THIS: start with WE, then YOU and finally ME. Bring up your lover’s positive qualities.  Be specific…the color of one’s eyes…an easy smile,  a generous nature.  Don’t exaggerate, as that might appear insincere. Don’t hesitate to say: “I feel…”
• Just as you would dress up for a date, spruce up your letter. Choose beautiful stationary or a lovely card.  If you choose a card remember it’s your handwritten words that matter.  Personalize the card with your thoughts and feelings and handwriting.  Be playful, include rose petals, confetti, poems, jokes, photos of a good time together, movie ticket stubs…
• Place the letter in your lover’s favorite book, or on a mirror, or if you are writing to your child- it could go into the lunch box…And there is always the mail.  Be sure you mail it early.