Have you seen the first Sex and the City Movie? If so, have you obsessed over the Love Letters of Great Men?
I may be the kind of girl who thinks roses from gentlemen are a tad generic [come on, boys, I like uniqueness] and would rather receive a box of fruit than a heart shaped box of chocolate; but when it comes to love letters, I am as hopeless as they come. Maybe it’s the obsession with words I’ve seem to have been born with, but something about written declarations of adoration and even slight fixation are truly swoon-worthy if you ask me.
I’ve been lucky enough to have received a few old-fashioned love letters in past relationships. A handful of them were composed on an antique typewriter, and sealed with wax. Sure, it may be cheesy, but I, admittedly, ate it up. These words from this man, as written record meant so much to my young heart and soul.
A few years ago, I borrowed the audio version of Nancy Reagan’s book, "I Love You, Ronnie; the Letters of Ronald Reagan to Nancy Reagan." This book left a lasting impression on my life, and not simply because I am slightly [ahem.] Presidential-obsessed. To put it simply, this book is breath taking.
If you are in the mood for a good story AND a boat load of true romance, get this book NOW. And I don’t mean sugar-coated, candy colored, too much you can’t stomach chick flick romance [not that I don't love a good girly-film. see: opening line in regards to SATC]…I mean authentic stuff you will want to read [or hear] again and again.
Also, I highly suggest you try and get your hands on an audio copy of this book. The letters of Ronald are read by a male voice, and the letters from Nancy are read by a female voice – and the way the actors perform the stories told throughout these letters lends much to the experience.
I remember when I first listened to this exchange of correspondence, I often paused the CD to take time to reflect at various expressions of love and affection. I recently came across some notes I had taken down of a few of my favorite lines while I was listening to the letters….Please, indulge yourself.
From a letter dated May 24, 1963 away on business, while working for GE.
…and then I will call you and tell you I love you and I’ll mean it but somehow because of the inhabitations we all have I won’t feel that I’ve expressed all that you really mean to me…
…But what is really important is that having fulfilled our responsibilities to our offspring we haven’t been careless with the treasure that is ours; namely what we are to each other. Do you know that when you sleep you curl your fists up under your chin and many mornings when it is barely dawn I lie facing you and looking at you until finally I have to touch you ever so lightly so you won’t wake up. But touch you I must or I’ll burst…
…but still it helps to know there are others who might just possibly know a little about what it’s like to love someone so much that it seems as if I have my hands stretched clear across the mountains and desert until it’s holding your hand there in our room in front of the fire place…
…Probably this letter will reach you only a few hours before I arrive myself but not really. Because right now as I try to say what is in my heart I think my thoughts must be reaching you without waiting for paper and ink and stamps and such…
…If I ache it’s because we are apart. And yet that can’t be because you are inside and apart of me. So we aren’t really apart at all. Yet I ache. But wouldn’t be without the ache, because that would mean me without you. And that I can’t be. Because I love you.
Your Husband.
[By the by, just ten days ago was the 100th anniversary of Ronald Reagan’s birth.
#presidentialfunfact]
Happy Valentine’s Day, from all of us at THS Headquarters. [Reminder: that really just means me. 
]
It would be my dream come true for a boy to write me a love letter!! That’s what I call romance.
Alexia @ Dimple Snatcher recently posted..Because I like you
Aw! What beautiful words, what a beautiful couple. Who knew that Ronald was so romantic??
Bethany @Bridezilla Bakes recently posted..Get Real- Sometimes- I need you to leave me alone
Oh my word. I didn’t know this book existed, but I want to go out and buy it immediately! I’ve been writing love letters to my fiance for almost 5 years, and he’s kept everyone (even just the cheesy, hand-made cards). This book is so up my ally. Thanks for the head’s up!!
I have read, and enjoyed, the Reagan book. Maybe I can listen to the audio version sometime.
I have received some love letters in my life. It’s nice to put those feelings down with pen and paper sometimes. It’s really something to be able to look back at old letters from my then boyfriend/now husband.
Melissa @ Be Not Simply Good recently posted..On Love
So sweet! And a very Happy Valentine’s Day to you!
Paige recently posted..Self Love and 90’s Rapper Imitations
That letter is so sweet!
Jess@atasteofconfidence recently posted..Flashback Friday
omg I became obsessed with finding that book, and then in our paper, it was printed that the book was actually not even real, so I gave up. Three years later I find out it *does* exist?!
OMG!!! You have GOT to be kidding me. I was in tears this weekend after watching the bio because I am so in love with them. They remind me SO much of my grandparents and a year ago today was the last day I got to see my grandma. Ahhhhh!!! Let’s plan a DC trip together!!!
Jessica @ How Sweet recently posted..To My Valentine
(As if I didn’t already love Ronald Reagan enough…)
You’re so right. There really is nothing like a love letter.
My ex-boyfriend wasn’t the best with words…verbally, that is. But he wrote some damn good letters. And I’m kind of getting sad thinking about it, so I’m going to stop there.
Happy Valentine’s Day, Heather Girl! xoxo
Gracie recently posted..a single girl’s valentine’s day
Okay, this was flippin’ adorable. I already liked President Reagan, but he just got even better!
Kayla recently posted..Want more traffic Publicize now makes it easy
I love love letters (see also the Valentine’s Day debacle with Eric’s reference to love letters) and would absolutely love to receive one. I think I definitely need to check out this book; it sounds SO romantic.
Rachel Wilkerson recently posted..Lesson 69- On Valentine’s Day
I love love love this book. It gives me the warm fuzzies like no other. And you are right, those words are so heartfelt, that they cannot simply be taken as “mushy” or “sickeningly sweet”. It’s so so real. I visited The Reagan Ranch near Santa Barbara last year and I can just imagine her sitting there reading these letters…
Thank you so much for recommending this book! As you know, I also lurve Presidents, so I’ll definitely be checking this one out!
Michelle recently posted..Better late than never
i love this excerpt. it’s truly beautiful and makes me admire the love between ronald reagan and nancy even more! i did my first presidential report on him in 6th grade and have loved learning about his life and his family ever since.
Julie @ Peanut Butter Fingers recently posted..Water for Elephants