How to Write a Personalized Love Letter for Valentine’s Day, an Anniversary, or Just Because

Why write a love letter? Imagine opening a locker, book, blanket, or anything of the like, and finding a letter written specifically to and for you. This letter contains the heart and soul of the person you love, and makes your heart jump a beat. Material thoughts all drift away and you’re left with nothing more than a longing to be with the person you’re so in love with.

Now imagine Valentine’s Day or some other special occasion is fast approaching and you lack the material means or idea to gift the person of your dreams. Sure, a letter might not be enough, but it will certainly always add on to what you give. For a matter of fact, it might be the best part of what you give; it could be a piece of yourself.

As far as writing a love letter is concerned, you do not have to be a great writer. For a matter of fact, it might be better if you’re not. Nothing says personal like a sloppy mess of flaws! If you’re looking to write an effective letter though, here’s what you have to do.

You’re intimate with this person! For God’s sake, let her know that. Recall some distant memories that you both enjoyed and remind your loved one how those events made you feel. Recall your first kiss or how nervous you were when you started dating. Remind her of the time you tripped and she was the one to help you back up. Whatever you write, make sure she can relate to it. Poetic language is nice and will certainly add to your letter, but it shouldn’t be all that is included.

Tease, mock (granted she likes that) and joke to your heart’s content. Add in a little thought that’s completely irrelevant. This isn’t formal writing. You want to write it like it’s a train of thought. On top of that, you don’t want to freak the person out. Don’t say anything like “let’s get married” or “I want to be with you forever” unless you are certain that the person would want to hear that. Even if you do include those things, keep them to a minimum.

Be Serious

Didn’t I just say not to be too serious? Yes, I did. But you should be serious in a different sense. Give the person something legitimate to look forward to. Just because you might not want to make long distance plans, doesn’t mean spontaneity is a necessity. Talk about a concert or a vacation you’re thinking about going on and include her in these plans. You might be surprised to find that the thought of this event might be a gift in and of itself.

Use You, I, We, and Me

Let’s face it: we are all a little bit selfish. If you use the word “you” and “we” a lot (but not so much that it sounds awkward,) you’ll get more of a personable effect. Don’t use them in a negative connotation, please. Say something like “We should go get some food after work. I’m not feeling in the mood for anything in particular, so you should pick the place.” These sentences include “you” and “we,” making two inclusive pronouns. “I” was used once, making one exclusive pronoun. This makes the letter personable while still including individuality.

Be Somewhat Concise

One page is enough. If you can’t fit everything in, edit out. Don’t include all of the suggestions I’ve written down here if they don’t fit into the piece. You’ll overdo it. Through personal experience, I know I’ve irritated my girlfriend with the length of my letters. She’s told me. Granted she isn’t the biggest romantic, I understand why it would have bothered her. If you drag it out for more than a page, the effects will dwindle and it’ll become more like an irritating novel.

Draw a Picture

A little comic really works wonders. Make sure it’s not too graphic. Also, a serious picture might not have an effect unless the letter is serious. Make the image a reflection of what you wrote.

Make It Into a Card or Valentine

If it's Valentine's Day or you want to spruce it up, make it elaborate. Use cardboard or thick paper and use plenty of colors. This way it'll stand out and be much more special. If you have the materials, consider cutting out some paper and making a design on the front. Do whatever your artistic abilities, time, and heart allows. Otherwise include it with something like a rose or a beautiful envelope.

Pen!

Write it, don’t type it! I prefer using black ink. Typing is too easy and shows that you put little effort into it. I personally type it first, write it down again in pencil, and then go over in pen. If you don’t feel like taking all of that time, it’s probably actually better to scribble out or erase than to type it.

Calligraphy

If you're going for a more hardcore approach, try to write it all down in some fancy font. I'm personally too lazy/incapable. Get some parchment and ink, and find a font that is easily deciphered. If it's too hard to read, it'll lose its meaning. If you aren't talented enough, give it some practice or figure out a way to trace the font you want.

Give It Some Time

Just like any piece of writing, come back to it later. I would suggest writing something out, adding to it again later and revising what you wrote, all on different occasions. This can be separated by weeks, days or hours. Give it at least an hour. Otherwise, you might write something that doesn’t make sense. If you write something that she has to look at inquisitively, she’ll lose her feelings.

Be Creative

Do something outside the box. For instance, while writing the word “color,” use a different color for every letter of the word. Use puns and other intelligent devices, but make them extremely lame and obvious. They’ll bring forth your smarts and your funs. If you write poetry, like I often do, make the poetry absolutely dreadful.

Delivery

Be clever about giving the letter and any other gifts. If the person is shy, she will have an easier time accepting the initial feelings if you aren’t breathing down her throat. Also, walking up to her and handing it in person isn’t exactly romantic. Hide it in her briefcase or in her wallet. If you want to do something after work, hide it in her lunch. If you both attend school, hide it in a notebook she will be sure to use. Just make sure it gets to her and in conditions that she will be able to both read and embrace it.

Dear Miranda,

I noticed your irritation on noticing the length of my letter(s.) I don’t see what the big deal was. I think it/they contained some vital information. So now I’m writing you another one! HA! Anyways, I was serious about that whole Valentine’s Day thing. I feel robbed! Just because you had a few bad experiences doesn’t mean you shouldn’t try to be extra happy. It’s an excuse to celebrate. Why would you waste that? As much as you might hate to admit it, you’re at least in part a mush. If you hated mushy as much as you say you do, falling in love would be impossible. Maybe you should just give it a shot. You might just love it.

On another note, I’m compelled to inform you that I did, in fact, let the dogs out. They looked so sad in their cages that I just couldn’t help myself. It’s societies fault! People keeping animals in cages! It’s absurd! Animals should be keeping people in cages. If only they knew their potential! Who would win in a fight, you or Woody?.......Oh wait, you or a grizzly bear? They have the power!.......except for Woody.

So now comes the big question. Miranda. Lissete. Cobb……Will you…… (Drops on one knee)……help me make our brownie castle? I think we pretty much forgot about it. I’ve been craving it oh so badly. If we don’t make it soon, I fear I’ll go into brownie withdrawal and start to get itches under the skin of my neck. This is me finally having a craving. I do get them, you see?

Speaking of cravings, I’m kind of in the mood to color. We should do some finger painting. I bet my artwork would be seven times better than yours. I chose seven because it’s a magical number, and is also the number of books in the Harry Potter series. You and your fancy art III schooling have nothing on me and my natural inclination to making crap seem more impressive than it really is.

So in case you’ve forgotten, we have something coming up this Saturday, and this something involves you asking your parents for permission. I’m not going to tell you what it is because I want to see your face when you have to ask me. It’s not that I want you to need my help or anything. I just want to see you smile :)

Poetry time! Today, I believe I’ll write you a Haiku. Not because I particularly like them, but because they’re an oriental integration into our language. That just doesn’t happen. By the way, this is that thing I was doing when I told you to guess what I was doing last night :p

Miranda Lisette Cobb

Was looking for a job

She found one at the Inne

Where she cleans up after din…..ner

Love,

P.S. I think I’ll write you more often………<3 Also, that wasn’t a haiku

Be yourself. Write as the person she loves and not as someone else. Never, NEVER let my advice cover your own personal voice. You are you and I am me (urged to include “I Am the Walrus” lyrics.) If you’re not really the one to write the letter, she will know.

Sincerely,

Colpolbear

P.S. I’m a guy and would love to receive a love letter. Also, the tenth of every month is love letter day!