Love Letters from the Heart

Ah, new love! Nothing like the feelings of butterflies in your stomach when your beloved walks up to you and gives you an embrace! Maybe you are lucky enough to have a romantic partner who showers you not only with affection and attention, but also pours his or her heart out in sweet love letters to you. I have a box hidden somewhere in a closet with some of the most endearing notes from earlier loves of my life. Nothing like reading such treasures (current or past) to boost your ego and stir your soul.

Don't let your love letters end with the excitement of a new relationship, however! You can continue to stoke the fires of your love life with letters from the heart, at any time and any stage. Who cares if you've been married for many years? So what if you're 68 years old? Women and men both love to be loved - and what better way to show your emotions than to write it down in a special, meaningful way?

Emails can work in a pinch - and let's face it, your lover's heart will leap with delight when the subject line pops up in the middle of the day. But, for true, long lasting impact, get out some stationary, or a greeting card and let's write a letter from the heart!

Generally used in the courting stage of a relationship, this is when you can let doves fly, roses bloom anytime of the year, and its always Valentine's Day. In other words.... no holds barred! Tell your partner how wonderful his warm chest feels when you're wrapped in an embrace. Your woman needs to know that her skin is so soft that you simply cannot stop yourself from reaching over and touching her hands and caressing her fingers. Talk about the excitement of your time spent together, "Yesterday at the park with you was so perfect, I only wished that I had the ability to keep the sun in the sky just a bit longer so that the day would not come to an end." Does it sound cheesy? Maybe to you as a reader of this Hub. But between two lovers, it might actually capture a special moment perfectly.

Two pieces of advice here: First - do not copy someone else's love letters. If you don't use your own words, it will not sound authentic and simply cannot have the desired effect of conveying your true emotions for your significant other. Second - try not to let fear or embarrassment dissuade you from opening up in a love letter. Just go for it! Tell them how you really feel, and how THEY make you feel. Chances are that you'll get the favor returned... and then some.

These are great fun (usually after the recipient gets the letter...), but can also be a joy to write, if you are creative enough. I do not recommend email here. I have categorized these letters as "Step 2" in a relationship, but I also think its a great exercise for married couples to continue to use as a way to keep things spicy and fun! Have you ever read love scene passages in a book? (have you not?) Well, time to become a trashy romantic paperback novel author! Undress your lover, piece by piece. Tell them what you see and what you like. Tell them where and what will happen. Set a stage that is memorable (roaring fire and blankets? or maybe something a little more risque?) Throw in extras, if you like - sexy lingerie, candles, whipped cream - whatever turns you on!

A great strategy is to slip the note to your significant other before they leave for work for the day. They'll be referring to the letter all day long, and you can both savor the anticipation!

Some couples, after months or years together, may find that the only exchange of "love letters" between them comes on February 14, in garish pink cards written by Hallmark. There are so many opportunities to tell your spouse or significant other how much they mean to you - particularly in your own words! Special occasions like birthdays and anniversaries call for heart-felt sentiments and at least a paragraph or two talking about memories of time spent together. Same too, with the birth of a child, a graduation, or other life milestones. But perhaps some of the most meaningful love notes are those that are given for no reason at all. I saved a Post-It note from my husband from years ago (yep, a Post-it note!), that simply said - "I love you so much!" I can't even recall why he left it, but I think the reason why it struck me as so dear was the fact that it was entirely without any motivation or reason.

We may feel comfort in believing that our spouse loves us after a lot of time together. But in addition to hearing those three special words, receiving a letter from our life partner that simply conveys the message that "I am so lucky to have you in my life," and "I love you so much," is a definite keepsake. You can pull it out after an argument. Your kids can find it one day when they're rummaging through your drawers. And one day, when you're 89 years old, you'll smile again at how lucky you were to love and be loved.