The skill, or perhaps art, of how to write romantic love letters is at risk of falling by the wayside. In our high tech world, many people choose to communicate electronically, and while we do still take the time to write romantic emails, these may not last as long thanks to computer crashes and hard-disk restores.

Historians are ever grateful that in times gone by it was common practice to write love letters to the object of ones affection. This is how we have learned much about the day to day life of real people in the past, as love notes are often a cherished possession, kept for years, even perhaps after the love is gone, the letters remain.

When you start to write love letters, use good paper and envelopes and a pen - not a pencil - that is unlikely to fade and smudge. Your letters will be fine, even once they are folded, unfolded, and reread as the years go by.

There is great value in the spontaneous love note scribbled on a scrap of paper or the back of a napkin, even though such fly decorations of love may not last forever, but these are expressions of joy of the moment and your loved one will surely know that you were thinking of them at inconvenient times also and all that you could find was a napkin or a scap of paper. Not to forget the classic, lipstick on a mirror.

It is important to take your time as you write love letters. The amount of time you take is as important a part of the gift as the sentiment contained therein. You should be specific, mentioning things that your significant other may not realize you have noticed, perhaps the way they hold a cup, or touch their hair. Think over each sentence before you put it down on paper.

If you are lucky enough to be the recipient of love letters, you should keep them, and keep them safely. If the love that you have doesn't remain, keep the letters safely tucked away regardless. It will be nice to look at them twenty years down the road with a healed heart.

A well written letter of love will be kept for many years, perhaps decades or longer, and may be passed on as a family heirloom. Perhaps more important, they can bring joy in to your love life right now, and in today's fast paced world, love letters can be an unexpected gift.