The 50 Best Valentine's Day Messages to Write in a Card

Ready to be Cupid? These sweet, clever and heartwarming messages will give you wings.

Photos: Getty/Stocksy

Updated Dec 18, 2024

Wondering what to write in a Valentine's Day card when you're not William Shakespeare or Jane Austen? Don't worry, you don't need to be a literary genius to express your feelings in a meaningful way. You just need the courage to be a little vulnerable, and our list of Valentine's Day messages can serve as inspiration. Whether you're personalizing a store-bought greeting card or crafting a homemade valentine, these sweet sayings, romantic wishes and clever V-Day quotes will help you put pen to paper. After all, a love letter is the perfect something special for your special someone. And if you're feeling extra generous, pair the sentiments with an equally cute Valentine's Day gift.

The Only Valentine’s Day Gift Guide You Need

In this article:

What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card
Short and Sweet Valentine's Day Card Messages
Cute Valentine's Day Card Messages
Flirty Valentine's Day Card Messages
Romantic Valentine's Day Card Messages
First Valentine's Day Card Messages

What to Write in a Valentine's Day Card

So, how do you start (and end) a handwritten Valentine's Day card? Greet your partner with their name or a special nickname, and set the tone with an opening that reflects the occasion—something like "Happy Valentine's Day to my one and only" or "You've been my Valentine for five wonderful years." In the middle of your message, share a personal memory, tell a joke or even include a love song lyric that holds meaning for the two of you. The goal is to make it personal and fun, so feel free to get creative here. You can keep things short and sweet to close your card. Sum up your feelings with a simple, heartfelt phrase such as "Love you, always," and sign your name. If you want to add a playful touch, consider ending with a witty aside or a cheeky note in a postscript. With these tips, you'll have no trouble putting together a thoughtful and memorable message that perfectly captures your affection.

The Only Valentine’s Day Gift Guide You Need

Valentine's Messages for Your Partner

Whether you and your S.O. are newly dating, engaged or married, we've got a variety of V-Day card messages to match your relationship status.

Short and Sweet Valentine's Day Card Messages

Your love note doesn't have to be overly convoluted to get your message across. In fact, it can be as simple as saying "Happy Valentine's Day, I love you." Check out more short (but impactful) Valentine messages below.

You're my favorite person, today and every day. Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm so lucky to have you in my life. (And you're so lucky to have me in yours.) Happy Valentine's Day!
Here's to more love, laughter and memories with you.
With you, every day feels like a celebration of love.
Happy Valentine's Day, love! You're so cute it almost makes me forget you don't use coasters on the coffee table.
We actually like each other and I think that's pretty cool. Happy Valentine's Day!
You're the reason my heart smiles.
Cupid definitely knew what he was doing when he brought us together.
Every moment with you feels like a romcom. Happy V-Day to my favorite co-star!
I love you more than slipping into sweats after a long day… and that's saying a lot!

Cute Valentine's Day Card Messages

From smile-inducing puns to playful declarations of love, any of these Valentine's Day messages will make your partner go "Awww!"

You're the peanut butter to my chocolate, the sprinkles to my ice cream, the icing on my cupcake. Happy Valentine's Day, cutie!
You have my heart (and you can keep it)!
After you finish reading this card, come kiss me—pretty please and thank you!
There's no one else I'd rather write a love story with. Here's to another sappy chapter as we celebrate yet another wonderful Valentine's Day together.
To my fellow cat parent: You're purrfect for me. Happy Valentine's Day, my fur-ever love!
This may be our [X number] Valentine's Day together, but I still have the biggest crush on you. Happy Valentine's Day!
Roses are red, violets are blue, I'm not good at poems, but I'm crazy about you.
You make life sweeter than a box of chocolates. Happy Valentine's Day!
Whether we're spending V-Day curled up on the couch at home or dining at the top of the Eiffel Tower, my favorite place in the world is always right next to you.
You make my heart sing! Let's keep making sweet music together.

Flirty Valentine's Day Card Messages

If your Valentine's Day plans are focused on intimacy, then you'll want to set the mood with lingerie, perhaps a sex toy or two and an invitation for closeness with one of these sultry messages. Here's how to write a sexy Valentine's Day card that speaks from more than just the heart. (*wink, wink*)

How about we skip the candlelight dinner and head straight to dessert… You.
Are you made of chocolate? Because you're sweet, irresistible and I can't get enough.
The perfect Valentine's Day plans: Aimless Netflix scrolling, followed by a passionate make-out session.
You're the reason my heart skips a beat. Care to make it race a little faster?
You're hot. That's all.
If kisses were currency, I'd spend them all on you tonight.
You're all I've been dreaming about. Let's turn those dreams into reality.
I could tell you how much I love you, or I could just show you. Your choice, my Valentine.
Let's make tonight all about us—no interruptions, just passion and pleasure.
Roses are red, violets are blue, I've been waiting all day to get naked with you.

Romantic Valentine's Day Card Messages

Quote reads: With you, I've found my soulmate, my best friend, and my greatest love. Happy Valentine's Day, forever and always.

Speak from the heart and sweep your Valentine off their feet with one of these deeply romantic messages. Here are some thoughtful V-Day card messages to inspire you and help you share just how much your partner means to you.

With you, I've found my soulmate, my best friend and my greatest love. Happy Valentine's Day, forever and always.
Words could never fully capture the depth of my love for you, but I'll happily spend the rest of my life writing you valentines, trying to show you just how much you mean to me.
From the very moment we met, my world became brighter and more beautiful. Here's to countless more Valentine's Days together.
The love I once only dreamed of is now my reality—every moment with you is proof that fairytales come true. Happy Valentine's Day, my one and only.
I don't need anything for Valentine's Day this year. The greatest gift of every day is simply knowing I get to spend it with you.
I never thought it was possible to love someone as deeply as I love you, but with every day that passes, I prove myself wrong. Happy Valentine's Day.
No matter where life takes us, I will always choose you. My heart is yours, now and forever. Happy Valentine's Day, my soulmate.
With every glance, every smile and every touch, you make me believe in the kind of love that poets write about.
On this special day, I just want to take a moment to say how deeply I love you. Being with you is my greatest blessing.
There's no bouquet of roses as beautiful as you, no box of chocolates as sweet as your smile. You are my perfect Valentine, and nothing else compares.

First Valentine's Day Card Messages

Quote reads: Here's to the beginning of something truly amazing. Happy Valentine's Day!

Congratulations on celebrating your first Valentine's Day together. We have the perfect plan in place for you with romantic V-day ideas, gifts for marking your first Valentine's Day and, of course, what to write in a Valentine's Day card when you're in a new relationship.

Here's to the beginning of something truly amazing. Happy Valentine's Day!
One Valentine's Day down, many more to go.
I'm so excited for all the "firsts" we'll share together—starting with this perfect Valentine's Day!
You make me smile every single day. I couldn't ask for a better Valentine to share this special day with.
This feels like the perfect moment to tell you... I've got a pretty big crush on you.
There's no one else I'd rather share heart-shaped chocolates with—here's to us!
I'd say this whole "us" thing is going really well!
If this is just the beginning, I can't wait to see where we go from here. Happy V-Day!
Happy first Valentine's Day! It's crazy how quickly you've become someone I want to celebrate, today and every day.
It feels pretty amazing to not be the one buying myself chocolates and flowers this year—thank you for making Valentine's Day so special!