Speaking of Romantic Valentine’s Day Stories — it Starts With Sex and Then Love Kicks in

A unique family heirloom, a box of the most romantic love letters ever.

Oh yes, Valentine’s Day is this coming Thursday and I personally love this holiday. It’s allows us time to stop and express our heartstrings to those most important in our lives. It’s also a good time to share romantic Valentine’s day stories. This year I celebrate with the new beau in my life (yes indeed and more on this later) but this Valentine’s Day I also want to share with you a unique family heirloom, a box of the most romantic love letters ever.

Let’s face it; each of us has a passion for our personal family genealogy. We all love to know more about who we are through the ancestors of our past. What you may or may not know is that sex is the most web searched topic on the internet. But did you know family genealogy is the second most web searched? This is according to Bloomsburg BusinessWeek and I quote:

“Today, genealogy ranks second only to porn as the most searched topic online. According to a January 2012 report by market research firm Global Industry Analysts…”

Nine handwritten letters in a reused box with images of a romantic exchange pasted on the box top.

It makes perfect sense that biologically we are hardwired to think sex first and then, as I like to joke, who has sex with whom, also commonly known as family genealogy.

But Valentine’s Day is more than thinking about sex and family genealogy; it ups the ante for us to celebrate that nebulous phenomena born of chemistry: romance.

When you leave this earth have you considered what you will leave behind for your ancestors to cherish? In my case our Sherman family history includes a small family heirloom box of the most romantic love letters ever. Dating back to 1880, when there were no computers, TV or cars, my great grandmother Julia Charlotte Hoffenreter met my great grandfather John Abner Sherman one cold snowy winter at the local skating pond in the UP (Upper Peninsula of Michigan). Through the exchange of nine handwritten and beautifully scripted one-page notes, their courtship began with this sign-off on the first seven notes:

 “I have no more to say. With Love, Abner”

In the 2^nd to last note John Abner begins to show his emotions:

“I have no more to say XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX Good Bye With Love, Abner”

And in his last note, his sign-off says it all with a P.S. professing his love:

 “P.S. There is one more thing I wish to ask you & I hope that you won’t be offended & that is if I don’t go with you be careful who does.  Darling.”

Nine precious love letters to “Dear Julia,” from John Abner Sherman in 1880.

And then, with no more notes to read, a million questions about their courtship, marriage and life fill my head. But of course, these are my ancestors romantic Valentine’s day stories and you’d rather read about things that interest you. So I will end this post with the words taken from the sweet love letters of my great grandparents by repeating — “I have no more to say.” Ahh and it’s love that makes the world go round.

Have a most special Valentine’s Day!

• Read my post from last year’s Valentine’s Day about “Broken Heart Syndrome” or what’s also called “The Widower effect” here.
• Some ideas and romantic tips on how to write a love letter from WikiHow towards creating your own special romantic Valentine’s day stories.