Valentine Messages: What to Write in a Valentine’s Day Card

Valentine's Day Card

Back in the day, when you had to come up with a valentine for everyone in your class, it was enough just to sign your name twenty times…and maybe tape on a heart-shaped sucker. But now that you’re older and your valentine list is shorter, you can afford to take your time adding a meaningful personal message to your card. So you’ve already picked out that perfect Valentine’s Day card, but you need some ideas for what to write inside? You’re in the right place!

In this guide, Hallmark writers offer up inspiration to help you find just the right loving words to add when you sign a valentine. Just click on the appropriate category below to go straight to the ideas you need, or you can read the whole guide and mix and match to create a valentine message that’s uniquely you. Once you’re settled on a message, don’t hesitate to spread the love. However you choose to use it, we hope our guide adds a little fun and passion to your valentine signing—truly, endlessly and 4EVER!

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What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card

Find tips for crafting your own special Valentine message and get some real life examples and watch-outs from Hallmark senior Writer Cat Hollyer in the video below or skip straight to message ideas using the links above.

For Your Sweetie  

  • “Happy Valentine’s Day, Gorgeous.”
  • “Wishing the sweetest, happiest day to my forever Valentine.”
  • “Tonight is all ours. I can’t wait to celebrate with you.”
  • “Especially today, I hope you feel how much I love you and how grateful I am to have you in my life.”
  • “You take my breath away. Always.”
  • “You have no idea how sexy you are.”
  • “I couldn’t ask for a more wonderful [husband] than you.”
  • “My heart is all yours.”
  • “Thanks for being you and for being mine.”
  • “I love all the adventures we have together.”
  • “This will definitely be a kids-in-bed-early kind of night. XOXOXO”
  • “God is good. I know because he gave me you to love.”
  • “I’m so excited to be sharing our first Valentine’s Day together. I hope it’s the first of many…”
  • “Wish you were here for me to spoil today.”
  • “Has it really been [10] years? I’d do it all over in a heartbeat.”
Writing tips: Using the recipient’s nickname (or private pet name!) can instantly make a simple wish feel warmer and more personal.

For your significant other, you might decide to give more than one Valentine card…and write more than one personal message. If you go this route, consider giving a mix of serious, heartfelt and playful messages, delivered at different times of the day—tucked behind his toothbrush, left on the seat of her car, sent to his office, hand-delivered over a candlelit dinner…

If you’re married to your Valentine, consider including in your count all the Valentine’s Days you shared before tying the knot. Depending on how long you dated, it could make for a much bigger number than your anniversary count!

No matter what you say, use words that sound like you. If you are sincere and you are yourself, your card will be as meaningful as you want it to be.

For a Longtime Love  

  • “You’re my forever love and I’m so grateful.”
  • “You give my heart peace over and over again. I love you so much.”
  • “We’ve loved through it all, and that’s what makes me so proud of us.”
  • “Being us is the best thing I’ll ever be.”
  • “At the heart of it all, we’re friends. I love that. I love you.”
  • “It’s been a journey…one I’d do all over again.”
  • “I’m so thankful God gave me you, that God gave me us.”
  • “You are my Valentine every day, in every way.”
  • “We’re growing old together with a love that’s forever young.”
  • “These days, most people can’t remember a time when we weren’t us. That’s a sweet, sweet thing.”
  • “You still make me laugh like crazy. That’s true love.”
  • “We’ve loved each other through good times, rough spots and life’s joys and sorrows. I’m so thankful for that.”
  • “From fledgling lovebirds to salty old crows, I love that we’ve never lost our sense of humor…or the magic that makes us us.”
  • “There are so many wonderful reasons I love calling you Valentine.”
  • “Your kindness, your strength, the way you look at me with so much love…this is why you’re my Valentine.”
  • “Love you with all of my heart…and I’ve got a lot of heart!”
  • “Love our life. Love all the things we are together.”

For Friends  

  • “Hope your day brings just what you want it to.”
  • “Thanks for being the loyal and caring [friend] you are. Love you!”
  • “Here’s to a Valentine’s Day filled with good wine, good food and especially good friends like you.”
  • “Happy Valentine’s to one of my favorite people. Ever.”
  • “Valentine’s Day and every day, I’m grateful for you.”
  • “Hope he spoils you. You deserve it.”
  • “Someday, our princes will come.”
  • “Wish we could be together swapping chocolates and laughing over candy hearts like we used to.”
  • “I’ll raise an awesome Valentine’s cocktail to you.”
  • “I hope you feel loved and appreciated on Valentine’s Day. Because you are.”
Writing tip: Don’t be afraid to go for a laugh. If your Valentine likes edgy or teasing humor, you already know it. If not, it’s almost always safe to make light of Valentine’s Day, yourself or love in general.

Funny Messages for Friends and Fellow Singles  

  • “Will you be wine? I love ya merlots.”
  • “It’s true like, for sure.”
  • “Valentine, guess what? Love your butt!”
  • “When should we start rosé-ing?”
  • “Wish you were here to Valenwhine with me.” (Or you could write,“Valenwine,” depending on your mood.)
  • “Besties are the best dates.”
  • “Let’s send our condolences to all those couples who wish they were wild and free like us!”
  • “You can’t have Valentine’s Day without wine. Well, we can’t, anyway.”
  • “Date schmate. We’ve got booze!”
  • “At least we’re not kissing any frogs tonight.”
  • “Roses are red. Lovebirds are annoying. Where is the chocolate? Let’s start enjoying.”
  • “Who needs a Val date when you can have a Gal (or Pal) date?!”

For Family  

  • “[Dad], I hope you’re feeling really loved today. You are!”
  • “Have fun on Valentine’s Day, and don’t eat too much candy.”
  • “Hope your day is filled with reminders of how much you’re loved.”
  • “As my [Mom]…as a friend…as a Valentine…you’re the best!”
  • “You make me laugh. You make me think. You make me really glad we’re [sisters].”
  • “Thanks for all you do that makes my life happier (which is a lot!).”
  • “I don’t care what anyone says about you. I’m still sending you this valentine and claiming you as family.”
  • “Valentine’s Day is all about love, and [Mom], there is no one better than you at spreading God’s love wherever you go.”
  • “Eating a little chocolate cake in your honor, [Dad]. It’s not as good as yours, but it still brings back good memories of Valentine’s Days growing up!”
  • “Love you and miss you, [Mom]! Looking forward to seeing you next month at [Casey’s party]!”
Writing tip: One Hallmark writer fondly remembers how his grandmother, who always sent valentines, would always choose a couple of words to underline. It seemed kind ofrandom, but they would usually be part of a list of nice things about him. Consider emphasizing certain important words in your message—with underlining, all-caps…or maybe even bubble letters.

For a Child  

  • “Happy Valentine’s Day, Sweetheart.”
  • “It’s so sweet having a [daughter] like you. Hope your Valentine’s Day is extra sweet, too.”
  • “Love you bunches and bunches.”
  • “Happy Valentine’s Day to one of our sweetest blessings.”
  • “Missing you and sending you a big Valentine hug!”
  • “We love you oodles and oodles, [Aidan]!”
  • “Hope you get lots of fun treats today! XOXOXO,”
  • “U R 2 Cute!”
  • “Wishing a fantastic day to my favorite [8]-year-old Valentine!”
  • “Hope your day is filled with fun and your mouth is filled with chocolate!”
  • “Hope your day is just as awesome as you are!”
  • “Sweet treats on Valentine’s Day help us remember to be sweet to each other. And you’re one of the sweetest kids ever!”
Writing tip: Kids appreciate a good drawing—or even just a funny stick figure. Consider adding a few hearts, word balloons or other doodles around your signature.

For Someone Having a Tough Time  

  •  “You’re loved every day, especially by me.”
  • “I don’t need Valentine’s Day to say how much I care about you.”
  • “You have an amazing heart. But you already know that!”
  • “I know this isn’t a good year, but you’re a good person, and I care so much about you.”
  • “Self-love is one of the greatest kinds of love out there. So treat yourself with kindness (and a lot of chocolate) today.”
  • “You’re brave and strong and I love that.”
  • “Today might be a tough day, but I’ll tough it out with you, Valentine.”
  • “I don’t love Valentine’s Day, but I love you. Thinking of you today.”
  • “A toast to all the independent ladies out there…especially you! You’re so loved and admired.”

From the Pet  

  • “You’re the best pawrent ever and that’s why I love you!”
  • “You’re my favorite human to kiss!”
  • “Happy Valentine’s Day! Can we cuddle now?”
  • “Happy Valentine’s Day from your FURiend!”
  • “Grandpawrents are the sweetest! I’m so lucky you’re mine!”
  • “Can you TAIL how much I love you?”
  • “FURever family. FURever Valentines. That’s us!”
  • “Who’s a good dog mom? Who’s a good dog mom? Is it you? Yes it is! You are the best dog mom!”
  • “Today, can I fetch YOU a treat?”
  • “Hey, Human! Let’s have a ball today!”
  • “Dog dads are rad dads! Love you, Papa!”
  • “Who wants you to have a happy Valentine’s? MEOW!”
  • “My PURRfect Valentine is YOU!”
  • “I’ll be HISSterical if you won’t be mine!”
  • “Friends of a feather celebrate together! (That’s what a little birdie told me, anyway).”
  • “Let’s graze on treats all Valentine’s Day! Whad’ya say, Hooman?”
  • “On Valentine’s Day, I don’t give a HOOF what we do…as long as I have YOU!”

Warm Closings  

A warm closing before your signature is like the bow on top of your message. Choose one of ours, or come up with one of your own.

Friends & family

  • Warmly,
  • Love,
  • With love,
  • Lots of love,
  • Love always,
  • Much love to you,

 

Romantic love

  • All my love,
  • Love you,
  • All yours,
  • Forever yours,
  • Endlessly,
  • Passionately,
  • Truly,
  • Gratefully,
  • All my heart,
  • Always and forever,
  • Hugs and kisses,
  • Kisses,
  • XOXOXO,
  • Under your spell,
  • Mmmmwah,
  • With all my love on Valentine’s Day and always,
What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card - How to Sign
  • Credits:
  • Additional contributions by Hallmark writers Kevin Dilmore, Ellen Brenneman, Jennifer Fujita, Allyson Cook, Dan Taylor and Cat Hollyer.

Keely Chace is a Hallmark Master Writer who loves reading, running and spending time with her husband and daughters. She shares writing tips in her "What to Write" series on Hallmark & Community.