How to Write a Love Letter for a Wedding Anniversary

Writing a love letter for your partner can be a daunting task. How do you sum up your affection, respect, and admiration for them in one letter? Start by brainstorming ideas for the letter, like your first experiences together or a romantic moment you shared. Then, create a draft of the letter using sweet, simple language. Polish the draft so it is at its best when you give it to your partner.

EditSteps

EditBrainstorming Ideas for the Letter

Write about the first time you met your partner. Maybe you had a first meeting where you ran into each other randomly in a public place. Or perhaps you met on a first date that went incredibly well. Think about the emotions and feelings you felt for your partner when you first met them.^[1]
- Try to describe the setting of the first time you met your partner. For example, you may write down, “When we met for dinner that rainy night five years ago at the local Chinese restaurant, I had no clue I’d be meeting the love of my life.”
Think of a romantic moment you shared with your partner. You can also get inspiration flowing for the letter by remembering romantic moments that you shared with your partner during your marriage. Reminisce about a recent trip overseas you took together. Or think about a romantic picnic you shared with your partner.^[2]
- Describe the romantic moments so you can use them in your letter. You may write, “I’ll never forget how you looked even more beautiful than the sunset that night we had dinner by the Acropolis in Athens.”
Make a list of great memories you have with your partner. You can also jot down a list of the great memories you have shared with your partner during your marriage, and courtship. You can then pull from the list and use the memories throughout your letter.
- Treat the memories like snapshots, where you list them in order to chart the progression of your relationship. For example, you may write, “Whether we are exploring the cliffs of Ireland, diving in the cenotes in Mexico, or having a quiet night on the couch, I always have the best time with you by my side.”
Discuss why you are grateful for your marriage. Think about how your marriage has enriched your life and made it better. List a few reasons why your are grateful that you married your partner and are committed to each other.
- For example, you may write, "I am so grateful for our marriage because it has shown me how to be a more generous person and to care for someone else's needs besides my own."
Identify what makes you the most proud of your partner. You can express how proud you are of your partner's accomplishments in life. Recognize your partner as a person who is not afraid to achieve their own goals and balance the commitments of a marriage.
- For example, you may write, "I am continually stunned and proud of your achievements, from graduating from law school to helping to raise our children. Your dedication, commitment, and confident leave me in awe."

EditCreating a Draft of the Letter

Keep the language simple and sweet. Avoid formal or stiff language in the letter. Use language that you might say to your partner during a casual conversation or an intimate talk. State how you feel about your partner using the first person, with language that they can understand.^[3]
- For example, you may write, “You are my guiding light and my rock. I don’t know what I would do without you,” or “I don’t think words can express how much you mean to me. I am so grateful you said ‘yes’ to me all those years ago.”
Include inside jokes and private moments. Make the letter personal and intimate for both you and your partner. If you and your partner have pet names, use them in the letter. If you have any inside jokes or funny asides you like to say to each other, include them.
- For example, you may write, “You’ll always be my Supergirl,” or “I can’t believe I found my Beyonce Pad Thai after so many years of searching.”
Discuss the traits and habits that you love about your partner. You may note your partner’s honesty, vulnerability, and sense of humor. Or you may discuss habits like “holding the door open for me,” “making coffee for us in the morning,” or “caring for me when I’m sick.”^[4]
- For example, you may write, “I love your honesty and your ability to always make me laugh. I will forever value your positive morning attitude and your expert coffee prep for a grumpy riser like me.”
Write about your future together. Tell your partner how much you look forward experiencing life together in the future. Let your partner know you are excited about your future plans and to spending another wedding anniversary together as a couple.^[5]
- For example, you may write, “My years married to you have been some of the best of my life, and I look forward to celebrating many more anniversaries, birthdays, and holidays with you by my side.”
Add a meaningful quote. To add a personal touch to the end of the letter, you may include a quote from your partner's favorite writer or poet. You can also choose a quote from a book you both like. Or you may pick a quote from your partner’s favorite television show or movie. You can also use a quote from your wedding vows.^[6]
- You can find a list of romantic quotes from poems online.
End by wishing your partner a happy anniversary. You can also include a short sign off like, “I love you and always will,” or “All my love on this special day.”^[7]

EditPolishing the Letter

Read the letter out loud. Once you have completed a draft of the letter, read it aloud to listen to how it sounds. Adjust any sentences that feel too complicated or unclear. Make sure the language is sweet and romantic.
- Reading the letter out loud is also a good way to check the letter for any spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors.
Show it to a close friend or family member. If you’d like feedback on the letter, ask a close friend or family member who knows your partner to read it. Ask questions to them about whether they feel the letter is romantic and heartfelt enough. You can also ask them if they think the letter is appropriate and will be appreciated by your partner.
- If you feel the love letter is too intimate to share with others, you can skip this step. Sometimes, only you can know if a love letter is right for your partner.
Sign and seal the letter. Once you are satisfied with the letter, sign your name at the bottom. Then, fold up the letter and place it in an envelope. Write your partner’s name on the envelope and seal it so you can give it to them.
- Personalize the envelope by drawing a doodle of your partner, or of a special symbol you both like. You can also make you own envelope to put the letter in.
Include the letter with a gift. Enclose the love letter with an anniversary gift like chocolates, flowers, or a framed photo of you and your partner.^[8]
- If you are giving your partner an experiential gift, like a trip together, mention this in the love letter or as a post script at the bottom of the letter.
Find a romantic way to deliver the letter. Surprise your partner at work by hand delivering the letter in person to their office. Take your partner out to dinner and pull out the letter during dessert to surprise them.
- Another fun option is to organize a scavenger hunt for your partner where you leave clues around your house, or around the city, for them to solve so they can find the letter.