How to Write a Handwritten Love Letter for Valentine’s Day

With February 14 right around the corner, people everywhere are scrambling to find the perfect Valentine’s Day present.

You may be someone thinking “I have no idea what to buy my girlfriend for Valentine’s Day,” or maybe you’re stuck wondering this: “What’s a gift I can give to my boyfriend that’s truly meaningful?”

You’re not alone — every year, people struggle to find the best Valentine’s Day gift ideas. For centuries, one of the most popular and well-received Valentine’s gifts has been notes of written affection. If you’re looking for a gift with timeless appeal, present your loved one with a handwritten love letter.

A Brief History of Love Letters

Love letters have been written, kept, and treasured for a long time. The earliest love letter is often considered to be the Bible’s Song of Solomon, which some scholars see as a tale of courtship and devotion between two lovers. 

Throughout history, when loved ones were separated by great distances, love letters were traditionally a way for them to continue to communicate. Although the form and content of love letters have evolved and changed over the years, their purpose has never changed: they are a tangible symbol of love and affection. 

Although your love letter should be written from the heart in your own words, you might find it helpful to look at examples of real love letters written by famous historical figures. Here are some of the most famous love letters that, years later, still inspire others to write their own. 

Napoleon Bonaparte to Josephine Bonaparte (1796)

“A few days ago I thought I loved you; but since I last saw you I feel I love you a thousand times more […] My one and only Josephine, apart from you there is no joy; away from you the world is a desert where I am alone and cannot open my heart. You have taken more than my soul; you are the one thought of my life.”

Earnest Hemingway to Marlene Dietrich (1952)

“Dearest Marlene: I always love you and admire you and I have all sorts of mixed up feelings about you […]  please know that I love you always and forget you sometimes as I forget my heart beats. But it beats always.”

Frida Kahlo to Diego Riviera (1944 – 1954)

Nothing compares to your hands, nothing like the green-gold of your eyes. My body is filled with you for days and days. You are the mirror of the night. The violent flash of lightning. The dampness of the earth. The hollow of your armpits is my shelter. My fingers touch your blood. All my joy is to feel life spring from your flower-fountain that mine keeps to fill all the paths of my nerves which are yours.”

Elizabeth Taylor to Richard Burton (1974)

“My darling (my still) My husband, I wish I could tell you of my love for you, of my fear, my delight, my pure animal pleasure of you — (with you) — my jealousy, my pride, my anger at you, at times. Most of all my love for you, and whatever love you can dole out to me — I wish I could write about it but I can’t. I can only ‘boil and bubble’ inside and hope you understand how I really feel. Anyway I lust thee, Your (still) Wife.”

Johnny Cash to June Carter Cash (1994)

“Happy Birthday Princess — We get old and get used to each other. […] But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me.”

When writing a love letter, one of the most important parts is choosing the right pen to write with. Pens are an essential tool for expressing emotions physically on paper. They’ve always been a crucial conduit for creativity and thoughtfulness.

Writing the Perfect Love Letter

To truly express your feelings and make the love letter special, it’s crucial to personalize the letter with your own words and physical touch. Instead of falling back on a typed letter or even a long text, take the time to write a handwritten letter that your love will cherish forever. 

The idea behind this Valentine’s Day present might seem intimidating, but you don’t have to be Shakespeare to write a heartfelt letter. The key to writing the perfect love letter is to make it personal. Here are some pointers on how to customize your letter: 

• Include small drawings or doodles to make your letter more unique and special. 
• Use special stationery to personalize your note. We recommend using high-quality paper that won’t bleed easily. If you’re in a pinch, you could even use paper around the house, such as the backs of photographs, the inside of old book covers, mismatched greeting cards, or postcards. 
• Spritz the letter with your signature cologne or perfume so your lover will always think of you while they read it. 
• Personalize your letter by using scrapbook paper, stickers, glitter, or other materials. The way you decorate the letter is totally up to you, but usually less is more when it comes to love letters.  

You can choose to use only one or two of these ideas if you want your words to speak for themselves. Or, if you want to go all the way with a totally unique letter, all of the effort, details, and time you put into making it one-of-a-kind are sure to impress your lover. It’s all about what makes the most sense to you. 

If you’re a no-nonsense person who prefers to be straightforward, there’s nothing wrong with keeping the letter simple. If you’re crafty, express your love through your creativity. 

Choosing the Best Pen

When you finally sit down to write your letter, you want to have the best tool for the job. Don’t use a pencil–the graphite smudges easily and is less permanent. A pen is the best writing utensil for writing a letter. Writing with a pen adds a level of elegance and sophistication to your love letter, making it a timeless expression of love. The right pen can make all the difference in the world when creating a love letter. 

Make sure it’s made of good quality materials and functions smoothly and controlled when writing. To write a truly special letter, you should use a truly special pen. The best way to do this is to get it personalized. If you’re wondering “Where can I order personalized pens?”, look no further than Pen Factory. We have a wide selection of all different kinds of pens; you can customize your pen by choosing the color of the pen, the ink color, and the text imprint. Now that you know how to personalize pens yourself, you’ll need to know which sort of pen to use. 

• Gel pen: As far as ease of use goes, gel pens are a great option. They write smooth as silk and are available in a wide variety of colors. Gel pens have a lovely lacquer finish and a bold, rich look. Gel pens have thicker ink that glides smoothly, but the ink can clump quickly and make writing look messier. 
• Rollerball pen: These pens are practical and stylish. Rollerball pens have rich, saturated ink that flows easily. However, they can sometimes bleed through the paper and dry slower compared to gel pens, making them prone to smudging. 
• Ballpoint pen: Chances are, you own quite a few ballpoint pens. They last a long time and can write on many different surfaces. Ballpoint pens rarely smudge or bleed through paper. The downside is that they require more pressure to apply ink to surfaces, which makes for a less comfortable writing experience. 

Contents of the Perfect Love Letter

Making your love letter unique with the right pen is important, but what about the contents of the letter itself? If you’re stumped on how to write a love letter, don’t worry. Just find a comfortable and quiet place to write, grab your pen and paper, and start writing. It’s okay if you need to start over one, two, or even ten times; even the best writers go through many drafts when writing. Here are some tips to help guide your writing process: 

• Begin your letter by stating its purpose. You want to make it clear to the recipient that this is a love letter, not an ordinary note. Start with something like: “This Valentine’s Day, I wanted to express how much I truly adore you. I’m always thinking of how much I love you, and I wanted to put it into words.” 
• Express gratitude and admiration. Thank your partner for the memories and experiences you’ve shared, and express to them how your life has changed since meeting them. 
• Write about personal memories and special moments in your relationship. Sharing memories and special moments can serve as a reminder of all the love and joy you’ve shared, making your love letter a cherished keepsake.
• State future plans and aspirations. Show commitment to your relationship by making it clear to your lover you want to spend your future with them. Building a life together is the epitome of love. 
• Tell them what you love about them. Avoid listing out a flurry of positive traits in your letter. Instead, hone in on a couple of characteristics and write in-depth about them. Praise your partner for all the things you love about them. 
• Let your heart guide your pen. Write what feels true to your heart – this is your chance to put to paper all the things you can’t say out loud. The perfect pen will be able to write whatever your heart feels. 

Celebrate Your Love this Valentine’s Day with a Handwritten Letter

Handwritten love letters are a tradition that’s been around for centuries. They’re a timeless symbol of love and a thoughtful Valentine’s Day gift idea. There’s something powerful about receiving and writing a love letter. It allows the writer to express feelings too powerful to speak out loud, and it’s a gift the recipient will treasure forever as a tangible reminder of their partner’s affection. 

This Valentine’s Day, surprise your loved one with a beautiful, handwritten letter. Use a pen customized just for you to make it even more special. 

Where Can I Get Personalized Pens?

For a letter that’s elegant and attractive, it’s crucial that you choose the proper pen. Pen Factory offers customized pens that are durable, stylish, and made-to-order.

Check out our online store and find the right pen for your letter today!