Yesterday I wrote about one of the most mysterious love letters in history, written by composer Ludwig van Beethoven (1770-1827) intended for his “Immortal Beloved”.
The letter, written in pencil and never sent, was discovered after his death, tucked within his business papers. It was addressed to an unknown woman, and historians have long debated who the recipient was. The letter expressed deep longing and affection, “My angel, my all, my very self… Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours“, proving that whoever this woman was, he was in a deep, loving relationship with her. You’re welcome to read the post, but today I want to talk about the art of writing love letters.
Despite the cliche that all love letters are sent between actual lovers, love letters can–and are often–sent between people who just love or care for each other. Parents send cards to children, best friends send notes to each other, etc. I’m sure you can think of many times when you’d sent (or thought about sending) a note to someone to make them feel better. And love letters don’t have to be about the physical side of love, they can also be sentiments of hope and joy you want to share with those you care about. Even a well written sympathy card can be a type of love letter.
And you can tell from this image of page 1 of Beethoven’s letter that while it’s written in cursive, it’s kind of messy. It’s not perfect.
So how do you actually write one of these letters? Well, luckily, it’s not as hard as it seems and I have 5 tips to help you get started.
Image Attribute: Dmitrismirnov, CC BY-SA 4.0 https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
FIVE TIPS TO WRITING A LOVE LETTER TO ANYONE:
- Personalization is Key
Make your love letters deeply personal. Reference shared memories, inside jokes, or future dreams. A love letter is most meaningful when it reflects the unique relationship between you and your recipient. Specificity counts. Include personal details about how your partner makes your favorite coffee each morning, or remind them of a moment you two shared and that you’ll never forget. - Handwritten Adds a Special Touch
Handwrite your letter, even if you have messy handwriting and are using the back of a grocery list. There’s something special about receiving a physical letter—seeing the penmanship, knowing you took the time to put your feelings on paper. Handwriting adds an irreplaceable personal connection. It’s also a surefire way to make sure your letters become cherished keepsakes. - Include Poetic Elements
You can be poetic without it being intimidating. How? Use metaphors (and other rhetorical devices) to describe your feelings. Describe nature and other beautiful imagery to evoke emotions. You can even borrow a favorite line from a poem or song that speaks to your relationship. Small touches like alliteration or repetition of certain words (like “always” or “forever”) can make your letter sound more lyrical. - Express Vulnerability and Honesty
Love letters are a perfect opportunity to be vulnerable and open. Use these letters to express those feelings you find difficult to say out loud. Do you admire your partner? Are you proud of you child? Are you excited for your best friend? Or are you just grateful for their support? Mention how they’ve changed your life because genuine, heartfelt expressions make love letters memorable. - Add a Small Keepsake or Memory
Adding something small with the letter can make it even more personal. (Look for things that won’t interfere with delivery of the letter, if you’re using the post office.) This small thing can be a dried flower from a past date, a photograph, a small drawing, or even a pressed leaf from a shared walk. Tiny mementos adds an extra layer of sentimentality, making the letter more than just words. These small keepsakes become a tangible memory of your relationship. - Add the date and place. I know it seems silly, but we might know a lot more about Beethoven’s letter if he’d given us a few more details. And years later, when your beloved finds the letter, they’ll have a notation to help them remember the details about when they received this letter. (or future generations)
These elements can help you craft love letters that feel personal, genuine, and timeless. And while it seems like these kinds of letters are a lot of work, they are. I’m not going to pretend it doesn’t take time and effort to express yourself beautifully. But if you’ve ever received a love letter, you know how it can truly transform your day. So when you stress about time and creativity, just think about the reaction of your “immortal beloved”. I promise that these kinds of notes can change both of your lives.
