Materials
Nice stationery and a quality pen can add an appealing touch of
significance and permanence to your love letter, and in the long run,
they’ll help it stand the test of time. But if a sheet of notebook paper
feels more like you, or more in keeping with the personality of your
relationship, then by all means, get writing. The key is not to let your
momentary lack of the perfect paper keep you from even starting. On the
other hand, if you do want to go fancier with your materials, keep in
mind that pencil stubs and notebook paper can still be handy for…
Writing a Rough Draft
That’s right—rough drafts are not just for school essays, but for any
important piece of writing, love letters most definitely included. Your
rough draft might be as simple as a brainstormed list of lovable things
about your partner in the notes app on your phone. Or it could be a
fully fleshed-out practice letter you draft out on your computer or on
scratch paper. Once again, go with the approach that feels most like
you.
Top-of-Page Details
Date your letter: Before diving in to the body of your
letter, start off by writing the date near the top right of your first
page. This is more than just a letter-writing convention—it also helps
create a record of your relationship. When your love rereads the letter
years from now, they will know this is a snapshot of your passion at
this particular point in time.
Salutation: The word sounds formal, but in truth,
the salutation is highly intimate. It’s the “Dear Joe,” or “Hey, Babe:”
just above the body of your letter. For a newer relationship, you might
stick to a simple “Dear Jane,” but for a more established love, here are
some more passionate possibilities:
- Darling (Jill), My Darling (John), My Darling Girl, My Love,
- Dearest (Jack), My Dearest (Joanne),
- My Wonderful (Jim), My Beautiful (Jess),
- Hello, Gorgeous: or Hi, Babe:
- Dear Sunshine, Dear [insert pet name here],