Dear Diane,
I am at a loss. Valentine’s Day is around the corner and I want to send a special “love note” to someone near and dear. But, I don’t know where to begin. Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
Mark C.
Dear Mark,
Writing a note is not as daunting as you may think if you have a few guidelines to follow. Since you are asking about a “love note,” here are my suggestions.
Face your fear.
Write in the same conversational style you would speak, using your own voice and way of communicating. Your letter should be a reflection of yourself.
Choose a nice pen and paper.
This is similar to choosing a beautiful wrapping for a gift. Quality stationery and a pen that writes smoothly make it extra special. Your beloved would not turn away a letter that was printed off your computer, but having something you wrote by hand makes it much more personal (even if you have bad handwriting).
Sketch out your note first.
A first draft will let you organize your thoughts and allow you to capture all of the important points you want to make. It will also help ensure the end result is more attractive without a bunch of crossed out words.
Write down what you love about them.
This is the perfect opportunity to let this person know exactly what qualities you admire in them. In day-to-day life, it can be difficult to fully express appreciation to loved ones, so this is great opportunity to say how you really feel. Make a list of the things you love most about them or what you see as their best qualities.
Let them know how they make your life better.
Think about how this person has impacted your life. Sometimes it’s the little, ordinary, everyday gestures that make people feel loved, so be sure to mention that you love how they make you coffee in the morning or get the kids ready for school each day. Everyone appreciates recognition for the things they do.
Date and sign.
Include the date and year, since this is a keepsake. Sign off with a thoughtful closing such as “Yours Always” or “All my love,” then sign your name.
Make delivery special.
You can surprise your sweetie by putting a pretty stamp on the envelope and mailing your letter; receiving personal mail with your handwriting on the envelope is sure to get their attention. Or tuck it in a bouquet of flowers or attached to a box of chocolates. Your efforts will be welcome and impressive.
