Beyond ‘I Love You’: The Secret to Writing a Romantic Valentine’s Message
February is that fabulous time of year when we get to shower our loved ones with extra attention and affection. You’ve got the perfect card, but not sure what to write in your Valentine’s message?
Keep reading to learn from some of history’s most famous novelists and some modern-day artists. At the end of the blog, we’ll give you guidelines to help you write a heartfelt message to your significant other. Whether you need a few Valentine’s Day card messages to get you started, or you want to write a completely original Valentine’s card message, this guide has you covered.
Every culture has its own take on romantic messages, and Valentine’s Day customs are no exception. If you’re curious where the tradition started, our guide to the origins of card writing and giving is worth a look.
This page is part of our wider guide, Card messages in English: what to write and how to say it, if you’d like tips on getting the tone right for other occasions.
Table of Contents
Learning from literary legends Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen
Exploring love through words is a journey, and who could be better guides than Oscar Wilde and Jane Austen? Their simple yet profound ways of expressing love are perfect for inspiring your Valentine’s Day card messages.
Oscar Wilde: Beautiful and simple words
Oscar Wilde was a writer who knew how to use his words in a special way. He wrote about love in a style that was both beautiful and easy to understand. Here is a good example:
From Oscar Wilde’s The Picture of Dorian Gray: ‘The very essence of romance is uncertainty.’
In this line, he is saying that a big part of love is not knowing what will happen next. This idea can make your message interesting and romantic, showing how exciting and mysterious love can be.
Jane Austen: Heartfelt messages
Famous for her novels about love and relationships, Jane Austen wrote in a way that’s both clear and touching. Her words can inspire you to express your feelings sincerely. Take a look at this example:
From Jane Austen’s Persuasion: ‘You pierce my soul. I am half agony, half hope … I have loved none but you.’
She’s saying that love can be painful but is also full of hope. You can use this sentiment to show how much you love someone and how important they are to you. Borrowing a line like this is a great way to add weight to your own Valentine’s message.
These Valentine’s Day card messages from romantic writers have worked for decades and good writing rarely goes out of style.
Learning from modern day artists: Valentine’s messages inspired by Alicia Keys and Justin Bieber
Let’s draw inspiration from the emotional lyrics of Alicia Keys and Justin Bieber to express your feelings in your Valentine’s card message. Song lyrics are a great source of Valentine’s Day card messages, since they already capture big feelings in just a few words.
Alicia Keys: A series of romantic lyrics
Alicia Keys’ songs are a treasure trove of romantic expressions to adapt for your Valentine’s message. Explore how the lyrics in some of her most famous songs can inspire your love letters:
- Show Me Love – “I always get wrapped up in you, baby, I’m in love”: This lyric shows the depth of being completely smitten by someone.
- Us – “I believe in us”: The simplicity of this line is powerful, emphasising the faith and unity in a relationship.
- If I Ain’t Got You – “But everything means nothing, if I ain’t got you”: Here, Keys highlights that love goes beyond material belongings, a beautiful thought to share with a loved one.
Justin Bieber: Modern-day love letters
Justin Bieber’s songs are full of modern expressions of love:
- Lifetime – “But baby, you are a lifetime”: This lyric is ideal for expression the idea of eternal love in a Valentine’s Day card.
- Holy – “The way you hold me, hold me, hold me, hold me, feels so holy”: Bieber’s words here show how sacred and pure love is.
- 10,000 Hours – “I’d spend 10,000 hours and 10,000 more, oh, if that’s what it takes to learn that sweet heart of yours”: This line promises dedication and willingness to understand and love your partner forever.
Writing your perfect Valentine’s message
Now that you’ve gathered inspiration from literary legends and modern-day artists, it’s time to craft your own unique Valentine’s Day card message. Here’s a simple guide to help you put these ideas into action. Whether you’re writing a Valentine’s message for boyfriend, girlfriend or partner, these same three steps apply.
#1 – Share your feelings honestly
Start by expressing your feelings in a straightforward and genuine way.
Example: Every day with you brings a sense of joy and comfort that I never knew I needed. You mean the world to me, Happy Valentine’s Day.’‘
#2 – Decide on the tone
Whether you prefer a simple and sincere tone or more of a funny Valentine’s message, let the nature of your relationship guide your words. Either way, a good Valentine’s card message should still sound like you.
Example (sincere): ‘Life with you is filled with moments of happiness and understanding, this is something I treasure.’
Example (light-hearted): ‘I love how we can turn every supermarket trip into a fun adventure. Here’s to many more everyday adventures together.’
#3 – Include a personal touch
Reference a specific trait you admire or a shared memory that holds a special meaning for both of you. A good Valentine’s card message often mixes something you’ve read or heard with something only the two of you would understand.
Example: ‘I still remember our first coffee date, where we talked for hours. It’s those simple moments with you that I cherish most.’
For some couples, a birthday falls close to Valentine’s Day too. If that’s you this year, our guide to what to write in a birthday card can help you cover both messages at once.
Creating a Valentine’s message doesn’t have to be complex, it’s all about authenticity and sharing what’s in your heart. Many Valentine’s Days feature a proposal of marriage and an engagement (yours or other people’s). Our guide to what to write in a congratulations message can help you find the words for that happy moment too.
Learn how to master the language of love
We understand that sometimes finding the right words can be harder than choosing the perfect box of chocolates. That’s where British Council English Online can help. Think of us like Cupid with a dictionary, ready to help you craft the perfect Valentine’s message! Whichever style of Valentine’s card message you go for, a little practice with English makes it easier every year.
Don’t miss the current offer on British Council English Online Gold and Platinum packages, which includes a free 7-day trial so you can experience flexible, guided learning before you commit.
