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12:38 pm
July 26, 2009
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admin
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Love returned or unrequited, who, when receiving a love letter, has not been touched? Perhaps it is stationary subtly scented with our beloved’s perfume, or being able to savor the words we want to hear, to read them over and over, that makes love letters so special to receive. And the romantic release of being able to pour ourselves out on to paper- the uninterrupted flow of emotion- feeds the fervor of our feelings. There is something lovely and deep about writing and receiving love letters. It is a tradition that lovers have carried on for hundreds of years.
When you think of Napoleon Bonaparte you probably think of his warrior nature, that he was Emperor of France, or maybe Waterloo comes to mind. But did you know that he was a passionate lover? His love letters to his first wife, Josephine, give witness to this aspect of his nature-
“ I awake all filled with you. Your image and the intoxicating pleasures of last night, allow my senses no rest. Sweet and matchless Josephine, how strangely you work upon my heart.”
And who, having seen Ken Burns’ stirring documentary on the Civil War, doesn’t remember the beautiful love letter Major Sullivan Ballou wrote to his wife Sarah the week before his death at the first battle of Bull Run?
I grew up in the 60’s- before computers and texting. People wrote letters then, and I was the recipient of an occasional love letter. Far less eloquent than the passionate confessions we can read in books or online, still, I saved them. Every now and then I pull them out, and suddenly I’m sixteen again. The boys who wrote them are old enough to retire now. But the letters still make me smile, remembering a simpler time when everything was new, and my heart had yet to be broken.
Have you ever received a love letter? Have you written one? Did it win your love’s heart- or break yours? Share your story with us.
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8:59 pm
August 4, 2009
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Poppie
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When I was a child I loved to get the mail delivered, I would wait for the postman push the mail through the door slot. There always seemed to be something from my Nan or an Auntie sharing the latest news, and even though they weren't love letters as such, they were warm and meaningful and had lots of XXXXX (kisses at the bottom).
I would then find a pen and paper and write back with our news, what I did in school or when new games were out or how many weeks it was before Santa was coming, which was usually a half a year away, but then 2 weeks would be counted down by the time the letter got there.
There is just something special about a hand written letter, like a hand crafted gift, t was meant for you, it was not generic, you were special and someone took the time and loved you enough to sit down and give of their time to write, usually on lovely paper, with the smell of pretty perfume.
Yes, I know that is very nostalgic, but let's bring it back, even a little love letter or note tucked under a pillow or in a sandwich box to war the heart.
What ideas to you have to scatter a little love on a simple piece of paper, share your ideas?
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5:43 pm
August 6, 2009
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janice
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I’ve always loved letters and notes. Often a special note after a tense moment when there has not been enough time to “make up” before going to work, can bring comfort and closeness. I have a few of those tucked away.
If you’re not really a “note person” easy opportunities to get romantic in print are cards for birthdays and other special occasions—of course you don’t even need a special occasion for a card. And these days, texting and emails offer new opportunities for quick love messages.
Looking for a poetic expression of love? I like this one by Joshua Sylvester, a 17th century English poet:
Were you the earth, dear Love, and I the skies,
My love should shine on you like the sun,
And look upon you with ten thousand eyes,
‘Till heaven wax’d blind, and till the world were done.
Do you have a love poem to share?
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9:28 am
August 12, 2009
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amk
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I had a boyfriend in the 70’s who went to a different college than I did. We wrote each other religiously every other day. I got so exited each day when the mail came! I’d run and check the box as soon as the carrier left. If there was a letter from Steve I’d sit down on the curb and read it, before going home and reading it again. I kept every one of them.
After about a year the letters came less frequently. One day his letter was short. He said he needed to figure some things out, and wanted to break up for a while. He said he didn’t know what Love was anymore. My tears stained the ink as I read it over and over again in disbelief.
Fast forward one year… Still missing him, I wrote to ask him how he was. He said nothing had changed. I resolved to move on. I took his letters, one by one, and burned them. It was cathartic. It was satisfying. With each one turning to ash, I could let go of my feelings a little more. I cried over the pile of ash that was all that was left of our love.
Somehow burning those letters that had been so instrumental in our relationship freed me. I couldn’t go back and relive the happy days, couldn’t have his words right there in front of me, couldn’t read the promises and the sweetness that new relationships are so full of whenever I missed him. It was the letters that bound me to him, and the letters that freed me.
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2:33 pm
August 12, 2009
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Fit2betied
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Love letters do seem to be a thing of the past. Maybe it's just the medium we use today that we don't see them laying around. I have some stashed away from my wife as we courted each other over 15 years ago. There is something special about them, it's a personal look inside of her heart and how she feels.
As a teenager I was also the guy everyone brought their troubles to. I would give advice and help listen to their pain. These were friends and to see them hurt brought out emotions in me as well. Besides being a great way to express yourself, writing and especially love letters have a personal touch you can't find other then in hand written form.
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3:26 pm
August 14, 2009
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janice
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Post edited 3:29 pm – August 14, 2009 by janice
Post edited 3:30 pm – August 14, 2009 by janice
Love messages are changing—fewer people are putting pen to paper. However, sometimes writing notes can help in a long-term relationship when you want to broach a topic, say your piece, and then give the other person space to think about what you said. When you do this in writing, it is an opportunity to express your love and devotion in a way you may not be able to achieve when speaking.
People are using text and email love notes more and more as brief opportunities to connect—especially the 35 and under age group. Speaking from the heart is best, but to help you get started, you can find websites that give lots of ideas for one sentence love messages. And if you don’t have much time, you can always send: ILU or ILY! You can never say that too much. Has anyone received a cool text or email message that you've saved? 
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2:46 pm
August 29, 2009
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janice
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My favorite love poem
If you aren’t feeling poetic, you can always use your favorite love poem in a note or card. I don’t know a lot of poetry and when I skim over love poetry collections I’m not easily impressed. For some reason, I keep remembering a love poem I learned in high school. I haven’t yet used it in a love note but maybe I will some day. Perhaps if people share their favorite love poems in this forum we’ll increase our love “vocabulary”.
So here it is, my favorite love poem, a sonnet I believe, by Elizabeth Barrett Browning who eloped with Robert Browning, the famous poet.
How do I love thee? Let me count the ways.
I love thee to the depth and breadth and height
My soul can reach, when feeling out of sight
For the ends of Being and ideal Grace.
I love thee to the level of every day’s
Most quiet need, by sun and candle-light.
I love thee freely, as men strive for Right;
I love thee purely, as they turn from Praise.
I love thee with the passion put to use
In my old griefs, and with my childhood’s faith.
I love thee with a love I seemed to lose
With my lost saints—I love thee with the breath,
Smiles, tears of all my life!—and if God choose,
I shall but love thee better after death.
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11:13 am
December 30, 2009
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Julia
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It’s not just what you say—it’s how you say it. Whether you speak out loud or send a love note, don’t fret about perfect wording—just express yourself naturally. I think “I love you” is pretty perfect anyway. You know what goes a really long way?–a love note with flowers. I love roses or a gorgeous wildflower mix. I like Calia lilies, but their pollen makes quite a mess! Delicate pink or radiant red tulips can be quite romantic as well.
A sweet note with a thoughtfully selected bouquet is exquisite—I feel happy just thinking about it.
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