How to Write a Love Letter (Part 1 of 2)
Love letters are intended to express your innermost feelings for another person. They are much more intimate and personal than an email or a fond message left on an answering machine.A love letter is often used to move a relationship to the next level of intimacy. They are of extreme use to people who have trouble expressing their feelings verbally or are too shy to say what they mean to the loved one face to face. A love letter can also help lift a load from your face as well as spare you a rejection or giggles from the object of your affections.
Love letters are usually a little more presentational than a normal letter. They can be written on special paper or inside a card. Love letters are usually written in ink, but if your handwriting is especially horrible you can always choose a beautiful or unusual font from the writing program on your computer and print the letter out on designer paper. Handwritten letters are best though as the hands are thought to be related to the heart.
Traditionally a love letter was thought to be a prelude to marriage. This is not so today, but they are still associated with special occasions such as birthdays, anniversaries and St. Valentine's Day. The authors of eighteenth century love letters would use special parchment paper for their letters. Often these letters were written with a quill and sealed with sealing wax. They were also tied with ribbon and often presented to the receiver on a satin pillow or silver tray.
You can make your own version of a Victorian love letter by writing with an ink pen on parchment paper which can be purchased especially at stationary stores. You can personalize your letter by sealing it with sealing wax.
Today, women might want to seal the love letter by applying lipstick and planting a kiss on the back of the envelope. Some people like to sprinkle dried rose petals or glitter inside the envelope so that when the envelope is opened, the receiver is showered with delightful things.
Traditionally love letters were also scented with the user's perfume. Essential oils such as rose, lavender, vanilla and gardenia are popular choices for scenting envelopes. Nowadays, you also have the option of writing your letter in scented ink.
The words that you do write in the body of the letter should be honest, sincere and come from the heart. You don't need to be a master poet in order to compose a love letter although you might want to augment your letter with quotes from the masters such as Shakespeare, Lord Byron or William Blake.
These kinds of letters usually have a huge impact on the recipient who may often choose to have the letter framed or displayed in a special place in their home. This is why it is appropriate to tie ribbons or charms (cupids and hearts are good) or glue your photograph to the top of the letter.
Before you set ink to paper, be sure to... [Continued: Love Letters 2]