Some of us may be fortunate enough to still remember receiving, or writing, a handwritten love letter. In contrast with the one-liner "wanna go for a movie tonight?" sent via e-mail, old-fashioned love letters conveyed a special intimacy and deliberate choosing of words from the writer. As a recipient, you may have devoured each line over and over, dissecting each phrase and flair of penmanship for its hidden meaning. It was not uncommon during the 18th and 19th centuries for a marriage proposal to be contained, either explicitly or implicitly, in a letter. And few of us can deny the power of emotions conveyed in the written word between famous couples throughout history, such as Heloise and Abelard, the tortured lovers from the 12th century. There is something quite delicious about receiving carefully chosen stationery that an admirer's hands grasped as he or she contemplated the perfect words to convey indescribable passions. In these modern days, it is rare to receive a romantic love letter, especially one that speaks from the heart. Truly, writing love letters is a forgotten art, much like painting a portrait of a beautiful woman on canvas. A painter must carefully capture every detail of the subject, or the moment is lost.

When writing a love letter, try to capture each emotion raging inside you, without necessarily revealing all of your intentions at once. A well-written letter leaves the recipient guessing, anxious for a sign of confirmation. Love letters, like Cyrano de Bergerac's famous missives to his Roxanne, should make the recipient feel singled out in the world, one heart who has captured another. For some of us, it is difficult to compose a romantic letter that doesn't sound artificial or contrived. Sincerity is always important, but romantic lines from the heart also involve a certain amount of practice. Before composing a letter, you may want to set the mood for yourself by listening to romantic music. Some writers like to have a photograph of their beloved next to them while they write the letter for inspiration.

Smell, touch, handwriting... e-mail eliminates all of these wonderful aspects of the traditional love letter. You can read, but you cannot live the letter. Can your recipient peruse an e-mail printed out from the office and chuckle at the creativity based on the way you dot your i's? Can he or she be reminded of your special scent, even days after your last meeting, from a letter dabbed with your signature fragrance? Leave a lasting impression, one that will be all the more cherished in this electronic age, by composing a love letter from the heart. Reveal a crush on paper and leave that special someone an unexpected note. Or surprise your spouse with a handwritten note tucked underneath his or her pillow this Spring.

SOURCE:
Romancing the Past, Spring 2002 Issue