With Love, From Loveland

Every year I tell people about this lovely little custom from Loveland, Colorado, and every year people are still surprised. Although it started after WWII and has been going strong ever since then, a lot of people still haven’t heard about it. In my blog last year, I gave historical background and details about it, so I won’t bore readers again. (If you missed it last year, go back to Valentine RX: Loveland, CO. , posted on January 28, 2015.)

I know, I know, this one has been posted on January 31, 2016, and this year, Valentine’s Day falls on a Sunday. But as long as you send your addressed valentines to Loveland BEFORE next Thursday, February 4th, your cards should arrive before the 14th. And it won’t just be any valentine your beloved will get in the mail, it will be a memorable keeper your sweetie — or Grandma or maiden aunt — will forever treasure. So how does the Loveland express work?

It’s really easy. All you need to do is follow these simple instructions:

1. Get a really nice valentine card, preferably from a Hallmark Store. Or if you’re feeling a little crafty, personalize that card by actually making it yourself — with your own bare hands.

2. Put it in an envelope and address it to your intended. Be sure to legibly print the correct address, along with the proper return address, but leave enough room so the post office at Loveland can stamp the poem.

3. Also make sure this valentine card you’re sending has enough stamps to cover the postage. You wouldn’t want it to be trapped in the dead letter office before February 14th, would you?

4. Then put your valentine card (or cards) inside a large envelope and mail to:

POSTMASTER: ATTN: VALENTINES!
Loveland, CO 80538-9998

The postmaster will get your envelope, open it and find your card or cards inside. Then a group of dedicated residents will stamp the poem on by hand, along with the romantic postmark of Loveland, Colorado.

There it is: a simple inexpensive way to show how much you care, a gesture that your sweetheart will always remember.

Happy Valentine’s Day to you — and hurry up and send those cards to Loveland!