50 Shades Of Grey? Pfft. These Greatest Love Letters Show Us What Romance Is Really About
These love letters may have been written way before you were born, but trust us, their words of passion will do wonders for your future heart-melting texts.
By Samantha Khor — 17 Feb 2015, 04:29 PM — Updated almost 10 years ago
In this modern age of e-mail and electronic texts, hand-written love notes may seem like an outdated tradition to express your feelings for your significant other.
Yet, in a recent Valentine’s Day poll, passionate notes from Johnny Cash, Beethoven, King Henry VII and many others proved to have withstood the test of time, emerging as the top ten greatest love letters of all time. Take a look at them here:
1. Country legend Johnny Cash wrote THE most romantic letter of all time to his wife, June Carter to mark her 65th birthday in 1994
"Happy Birthday Princess,
We get old and get used to each other. We think alike. We read each others' minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted.
But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realise how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met. You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence.
I love you very much.
Happy Birthday Princess.
John."
2. Former UK Prime Minister Winston Churchill shared his words of undying love to wife Clementine ("Clemmie") in a letter dating back to 1935
"My darling Clemmie,
In your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about my having enriched your life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in your debt, if there can be accounts in love.... What it has been to me to live all these years in your heart and companionship no phrases can convey.
Time passes swiftly, but is it not joyous to see how great and growing is the treasure we have gathered together, amid the storms and stresses of so many eventful and to millions tragic and terrible years?
With tender love from your devoted, W."
3. Poet John Keats tells next door neighbour and later, fiancée Fanny Brawne he cannot live without her in 1819
"My dearest Girl,
This moment I have set myself to copy some verses out fair. I cannot proceed with any degree of content. I must write you a line or two and see if that will assist in dismissing you from my Mind for ever so short a time. Upon my Soul I can think of nothing else - The time is passed when I had power to advise and warn you again[s]t the unpromising morning of my Life - My love has made me selfish. I cannot exist without you - I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again - my Life seems to stop there - I see no further. You have absorb'd me. I have a sensation at the present moment as though I was dissolving - I should be exquisitely miserable without the hope of soon seeing you. I should be afraid to separate myself far from you. My sweet Fanny, will your heart never change? My love, will it? I have no limit now to my love - You note came in just here - I cannot be happier away from you - 'T is richer than an Argosy of Pearles. Do not threat me even in jest. I have been astonished that Men could die Martyrs for religion - I have shudder'd at it - I shudder no more - I could be martyr'd for my Religion - Love is my religion - I could die for that - I could die for you. My Creed is Love and you are its only tenet - You have ravish'd me away by a Power I cannot resist: and yet I could resist till I saw you; and even since I have seen you I have endeavoured often "to reason against the reasons of my Love." I can do that no more - the pain would be too great - My Love is selfish - I cannot breathe without you.
Yours for ever, John Keats"
4. In one of many letters, famed author Ernest Hemingway professes his love to actress Marlene Dietrich
5. Napoleon Bonaparte's sends his love and speaks of his longing for wife Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796
6. One of the most celebrated Hollywood romances of the century, a private letter from Richard Burton waxed poetic of Elizabeth Taylor's beauty in 1964
7. Unsure of his place in her heart, King Henry VIII sent a missive to then-mistress Anne Boleyn accompanied with a prized buck in 1527
“I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us. Necessity compels me to obtain this answer, having been more than a year wounded by the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail or find a place in your affection.
Although my mistress, you have not been pleased to remember your promise when I was last with you, too let me hear news of you, and have an answer to my last, I thought it the part of a true servant to inquire after his mistresse’s health.
I also send by the bearer a buck killed by me last night, hoping when you eat of it you will think of the hunter. Written by the hand of your servant.”
8. Legendary composer Ludwig van Beethoven penned his love for his 'Immortal Beloved", whose true identity remains a mystery, in 1812
9. Former US President Gerald Ford and his children reminded wife Betty of his and their family's love for her after she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1974
"Dearest Mom
No written words can adequately express our deep, deep love. We know how great you are and we, the children and Dad, will try to be as strong as you.
Our Faith in you and God will sustain us. Our total love for you is everlasting.
We will be at your side with our love for a wonderful Mom."
10. Rock icon Jimi Hendrix's letter encourages his "little girl" to find happiness within herself and to "spread her wings" to set herself free
"little girl.....
happiness is within you... so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow - like the sweet flower you are...
I know the answer - Just spread your wings and set yourself FREE
Love to you forever
Jimi Hendrix"