A love letter is a romantic way to express feelings of love in written form. Delivered by hand, by mail or romantically left in a secret location, the letter may be anything from a short and simple message of love to a lengthy explanation of feelings.

Sometimes letters are preferable to face-to-face contact because they can be written as the thoughts come to the author's mind. 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 were 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 possible start of a relationship could be initiated.

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. Structure and suggestions of love letters have formed the subject of many published books, such as the anthology Love Letters of Great Men.

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 most people prefer to spray them with their own perfume. This emphasizes in the receivers mind, the physical connection that occurred between them in this form of communication and thus may strengthen the overall impact of the letter.

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See also:

• Regional: North America: United States: Oklahoma: Regions: Lake Country (8)

• Love County Assessor
  love.oklahoma.usassessor.com
  Contains staff directory, tax forms, levy rates and appraisal information.
• Love County Demographics
  staging.okcommerce.gov
  Provides report from the U.S. Bureau of the Census, Census 2000. [PDF]