Valentine’s Letters of Love for my Grandchildren

Traditionally, Valentine’s Day is about romantic love, but it’s also a good occasion to celebrate other types of love. The Greeks had eight different words for love, including eros for romantic love, philia for love of friends, and storge for love of family. They all deserve to be recognized and celebrated on Valentine’s Day. The love for grandchildren is so special, I think it deserves its own word, but storge will have to suffice. How will you celebrate the special connection with your grandchildren?

Some of my most prized possessions are the letters my dad sent to me over the years. They are a chronicle of daily life when we lived in different cities, but more importantly, they are missives of love. Liberally sprinkled throughout his letters are messages adorned with sweet endearments. Those treasured letters inspired me to begin a new Valentine’s tradition for my grandchildren, letters of love.

Letters are almost a lost art. Why write letters when you can text, email, or call? My grandkids live two blocks from me, so I could easily just tell them everything I am thinking or feeling. I could probably shout it out my front door, and they’d hear me. There are many forms of communication, but there is something special about letters. When it’s in writing, words carry a heavier gravitas. When a person sits down to write, you know there is thought and intent behind the words.

When I look at my dad’s handwriting, I can almost picture him sitting at his old oak rolltop desk, thinking and writing. My dad had to drop out of school at the age of ten to pick cotton to help support his family. Although he later became an engineer thanks to the GI Bill, he was always self-conscious about his spelling and grammar and would usually draft a letter before writing the real one. Knowing his letters were a labor of love makes them even more special. My handwriting is not beautiful, yet it’s an identifiable part of me, and someday I can picture my grandchildren recognizing my letters immediately because of my handwriting, as I do with my dad’s.

My plan for my grandchildren’s Valentine’s letters is to write each child a list of the top ten things I love about them. It’s easy to say I love you, but when someone tells you a specific thing they love about you, it feels personal and special. Here are some excerpts from my love letters to my grandchildren.

1. I love the way you are so kind and gentle with your little sister. The way you treat her makes her feel special, and she thinks of you as her hero.
2. I admire the way you study hard for your weekly spelling test. No matter the outcome, it’s important that you always try your best, and you do!
3. You show kindness to your friends by sharing. You are sensitive to other people’s feelings.
4. You do a great job feeding your dog and taking him on walks.
5. I love that you say please and thank you when asking for something at my house.
6. I love the songs you make up and sing for the family. Your creativity brings us all joy.
7. I’m always so excited to see you when you come to visit me. You brighten up my life and fill it with love and happiness! A hug from you is my favorite gift
8. Your sense of humor is great. You tell jokes that make me laugh!
9. I love your curiosity and love of science. You always teach me new things about the world!
10. Being your grandmother is one of the best things in my life. I love you so much, and I think you are a wonderful person. I love watching you grow up, and I’m so happy I get to be part of your life!

At my grandchildren’s ages, eight and five, they may not immediately appreciate the letters, so I’ll add a little gift and some chocolate to go with them. My hope is that after the gift is forgotten and the chocolate is eaten, the written words of love will remain. That’s the magic of letters. They have lasting power even after the writer is gone. When we moved four years ago, I gave away many possessions, but my stack of letters from my grandmother and my dad were non-negotiable keepers.

Letters of love are always a welcome gift. They have a lasting impact, they have no calories, and they’re easy on the budget. Whatever you do for Valentine’s Day, I hope it’s a wonderful celebration of all the love in your life!