The Art of a Hand Written Love Letter

“I more than love you, I’m not whole without you. You are life itself to me. When you are gone I’m waiting for you to return so I can start living again.”

– President Ronald Reagan

The art of writing a hand written letter has become ancient history to most since the invention of the internet. When I think of love notes, I instantly think of the scene in the movie Grease when Sandra Dee has a sleepover with the girls and writes a love note to Danny. Just 30 years later in Sex & the City: The Movie, Big sends Carrie love letters via email to get back in her good graces. While email, text message, Facebook and Twitter may be the primary way of communication these days, they seem to loose a bit of sentiment when conveying messages from the heart. Seeing the words “I love you” in a text message just doesn’t convey the same emotions and feelings as a handwritten letter.

While the origins of the love letter can be traced back many years, it was made popular in the Victorian era during the 18^th century. During this time, letter writing was looked upon as a skill and those that could do it eloquently with great words and penmanship were highly regarded. It was also a very popular means of communication for loving couples during times of war, and still is. It gave soldiers hope and was a way for couples to stay in touch while worlds apart. My grandfather served in World War II and wrote letters to my grandmother while he was away. My father still has some of these letters that he holds on to to remember them both by.

Many famous men have written love letters throughout history. Ludwig Von Beethoven, the famed composer and pianist, wrote many love letters throughout his lifetime and his most famous collection, “Immortal Beloved”, was discovered after his death.  Charles Darwin, the scientist who founded the theory of evolution, was also known for his fondness for letter writing, along with Woodrow Wilson, the 28^th President of the United States, and Ronald Reagan, the 40^th President of the United States. Reagan wrote love letters quite frequently to his wife Nancy, who he was married to for over 40 years, whether he was traveling or sitting across the room from her. The famous couples collection of letters can be read in the book, “I Love You, Ronnie: The Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan” published in 2002.

If you’re looking for a special Valentine’s Day treat this year for your significant other, why not write a good old fashion love letter? It’s thoughtful and is sure to be cherished by your loved on for many years to come. Here are a few of our favorite eco-friendly stationary sets and journals to get you started:

Vintage Vinyl Journals, Disney’s Lady and the Tramp ($34.99): Combine your passion for music and writing with this journal featuring Disney’s 1969 Lady and the Tramp album, handcrafted with recycled and environmentally friendly paper.

Papyrus, Mudlark Kiko Keepsake ($15.95): This beautiful, intricately detailed stationary set from Papyrus offers recycled cards, envelopes and even a keepsake box to store old letters.

Smock Paper, You Have My Heart ($4.00): Perfect for a special occasion or just to say “I love you”, these cards are sustainable, made with bamboo paper and envelopes.

EcoJot, Fresh Flowers Notecards ($12.00): This Canadian-based stationary company offers beautiful flower painted notecards that are 100% recycled on acid and chlorine free paper.

Twisted Limb Greeting Cards ($19.00): These unique cards are made with 100% recycled handmade paper and envelopes, and feature intricate flower detailing.