The Love Letter by Johannes Vermeer

A love letter is a romantic way to express feelings of love in written form. Sometimes sent in the mail, or by electronic mail, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation of feelings.

Often letters are preferable to face-to-face contact because they can be written as the thoughts come to the author. This may allow feelings to be more easily expressed than if the writer were in the beloved's presence. Further, expressing strong emotional feelings to paper or some other permanent form can be an expression within itself of desire and the importance of the beloved and the lover's emotions. The expression of feelings may be made to an existing love or in the hope of establishing a new relationship. The increasing rarity and consequent emotional charm of personal mail may also serve to emphasize the emotional importance of the message.

Other times, especially in the past before the wide use of telecommunications, letters were one of the few ways for a couple to remain in contact. When one of them was posted or stationed some distance from the other, the "being apart" often intensified emotions and many times a desired normal communication could lead to a letter expressing love, longing and desires. This was especially the case with large numbers of young men and women separated during times of war. During these times, "love letters" were the only means of communication, and soldiers even swapped addresses of desirable young ladies so that an initial communication and potential relationship could be started between them.

As with any letter, a love letter could be written in any structure or style. One historically popular method is as a sonnet or other form of poem. William Shakespeare's sonnets are often cited as good examples of how to write emotional themes. There have been published books collecting models and suggestions for love letters, such as the anthology Love Letters of Great Men. In German speaking countries, love letters were painted by hand on delicately cut high quality paper and writing such letters was considered a folk art. The generic term for this art in German is "Freundschaftsbrief" or friendship brief. Here is an example of text painted on such a love letter two certuries ago: "Liebst du Mich, Wie ich Dich, Nichts Mehr Begehr ich" (If you love me, like I love you, I will want for nothing more!)

After the end of a relationship, returning love letters to the sender or burning them can symbolise the hurt felt. In the past, love letters also needed to be returned as a matter of honor: a love letter, particularly from a lady, could be compromising or embarrassing later in life.

Some stationery companies produce paper and envelopes specifically for love letters. Some of these are scented, though some people like to use their own perfume to strengthen the impact of the letter.

Amedeo Momo Simonetti: Opening a love letter