Let’s talk about love letters and how to write them.
My husband and I became FB friends before we started to date. At that time, FB had a proprietary messaging system which we used routinely to touch base throughout the day. I used to love to see this little red dot next to the FB icon on my phone indicating that I had another message waiting. We would write each other rhymes, limericks, riddles, and made-up lyrics written to go with well known tunes. It was a lot of fun and a creative way to get to know each other. AHHH! Such fun memories.
I find writing letters especially gratifying when using a nice pen on pretty stationary. Sadly, this time honored custom of hand writing letters has gone by the wayside in favor of email, text messaging and social media. People are too busy and don’t have the interest to be bothered with such a time consuming convention. Be that as it may, I would argue, and science will back me up, that writing love letters is not only a wonderfully romantic and thoughtful gesture, it is also good for your health.
February is a particularly special month for me. My son was born in February, my wedding anniversary is in February and Valentine’s Day follows our anniversary just a few days later. I am a romantic at heart, and I love celebrating love, but selecting something for my wonderful husband to unwrap is always a conundrum for me. Conversely, David is a master at the art of gift giving. He has the most amazing talent for ferreting out the perfect present which magically makes my day while, at the same time, reveals how he really gets me.
This Valentine’s Day, I think I have come up with the perfect gift–a love letter. Love letters are personal, intimate and timeless. They are a piece of the soul and they share the many colors and textures of the heart. They are truth and passion infused with vulnerability, idiosyncrasy and…. well….love.
If you are searching for the perfect something for your special someone, perhaps you might enjoy trying your hand at the art of love letter writing and I have a few pointers to help you get started.
If writing a love letter feels a bit daunting, try writing a few little notes on hearts cut out of card stock. I placed these in a mini-mailbox for something unique to open on Valentine’s Day. You can also use post-it notes or make a little “fortune teller” with a few sweet nothings written inside.
How To Write a Love Letter: 7 Helpful Tips
- You will need: a pad of paper, (let’s go old school all the way)– for your rough drafts, and a nice quality paper or stationary for your final draft, and a good pen. Keep in mind that you will be doing several drafts so don’t worry about spelling or punctuation to get things started. That will come later.
- Get into the right frame of mind. Turn off your inner critic–the voice in your head that announces what everyone else might think. Don’t focus on saying the right things or using the perfect words. Let yourself get out of your head and into your heart. Most importantly, breath and take your time.
- Start your letter with something personal–a special name or reference.
- Next, write about the purpose of your letter. Why you are writing this letter and what you hope it will bring to the person reading it.
- Be yourself and write the way you would normally speak. Express what is in your heart and don’t hold back. This is the center of your letter so give it your all. Be honest–unfiltered. Write the things that make you happy, things that you fear and what you are grateful for. Be vulnerable–share the thoughts and feelings that may be dark, petty or vain. Share your hopes and dreams and the things that get in their way, use examples. How have things changed since you met? What is the most romantic thing he/she has ever done for you and what about him/her surprises you? What does he/she do all the time that makes you feel loved? Be playful.
- Close the letter by pulling all of the elements of the letter together; why you wrote it, how you feel now and what you look forward to in the future. You might have a favorite poem or maybe a line from a movie that you both identify with that you can weave into your closing.
- Sign it with something romantic like, “With all my love”, or “Yours forever and always”. (I like to SWAK using one of my favorite colors of lipstick). Maybe scent it with a little spritz of your perfume or draw something in the margins. Whatever you choose to do, let it reflect who you are and how you feel about the person who you are writing to. ♥
GOOD LUCK and HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!
Molten Chocolate Cakes with Huckleberry Sauce and Vanilla Ice Cream For Two
This recipe is one of my favorite desserts. It is quick and very easy to prepare. You can serve with raspberries or chocolate covered strawberries if you don’t happen to have any huckleberries.
Molten Chocolate Cakes with Huckleberry Sauce For Two
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Unsalted butter 1/2 stick
- 3 oz good quality semisweet chocolate chopped
- 1 tbsp heavy cream cold
- 1 tbsp confectioner's sugar
- 1 large egg
- 1 large egg yolk
- ⅛ cup granulated sugar
- ½ tsp pure vanilla extract
- pinch salt
- 1 tbsp all-purpose flour
Huckleberry Sauce
- 1 cup huckleberries fresh or partially frozen
- ½ tbsp fresh squeezed lemon juice
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tbsp cornstarch
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 450° F. Grease and flour 2 (6 oz) ramekins using butter and flour in each, tapping out the excess flour. Set on a baking sheet.
- In a double boiler, or glass or metal bowl set over a pan of simmering water, melt the butter with the chocolate, cream, and powdered sugar, stirring until smooth. Remove from heat.
- In a bowl, whisk together the egg, egg yolk, sugar, vanilla and salt until thick ribbons form, about 3 minutes. Sift 1 tablespoon flour into the egg mixture. Fold the chocolate into the egg mixture. Divide between the ramekins and bake until the sides of the cake are set and the tops are puffed but still soft, approximately 11-14 minutes.
While the cakes are baking, make the Huckleberry Sauce
- Mix sugar and cornstarch together in a small saucepan. Stir in ¼ cup water and ¼ cup fresh or partially frozen huckleberries. Bring to boil over medium heat. Cook, stirring until clear and thickened. Remove from, heat and add remaining ¾ cup huckleberries and ½ tablespoon lemon juice, or to taste.
- Serve huckleberry sauce over molten chocolate cakes and vanilla ice cream.
Until next time,
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