Read it, and then steal some lines for your Valentine’s Day card. Thanks, Johnny,
A love letter from Johnny Cash to the love of his life, June Carter, has been voted the best of all time.
In the letter he wrote to his wife on her 65th birthday, Cash remembers how lucky he was to have “the greatest woman I ever met.”
“We got old and got used to each other. We think alike. We read each others [sic] minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes we take each other for granted,” the country singer wrote.
“But once in a while, like today, I meditate on it and realize how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met.
“You still fascinate and inspire me. You influence me for the better. You’re the object of my desire, the #1 Earthly reason for my existence. I love you very much.”
Johnny and June’s relationship was immortalised in the 2005 film, Walk the Line.
The Daily Mail reported Cash beat out Winston Churchill, Beethoven and Jimmy Hendrix in a Valentine’s Day poll to elect the best love letter of all time.
Others on the list include John Keats -who is famous for his poetic love affair with Fanny Brawn – and King Henry VIII who expressed his infinite love for Anne Boleyn, you know, prior to chopping off her head.
Top Ten Greatest Love Letters
1. Johnny Cash wishes wife June Carter Cash a happy 65th birthday (1994)
‘We get old and get used to each other. We think alike. We read each others minds. We know what the other wants without asking. Sometimes we irritate each other a little bit. Maybe sometimes take each other for granted. But once in awhile, like today, I meditate on it and realise how lucky I am to share my life with the greatest woman I ever met.’
Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix as June Carter and Johnny Cash in 2005 film, Walk the Line. (Image via WordPress)2. Winston Churchill tells wife Clementine Churchill of his undying love (1935)
‘My darling Clemmie, in your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about having enriched your life. I cannot tell you what pleasure this gave me, because I always feel so overwhelmingly in your debt, if there can be accounts in love.’
3. John Keats tells next door neighbour Fanny Brawne he can not live without her (1819)
‘I cannot exist without you – I am forgetful of every thing but seeing you again – my Life seems to stop there – I see no further. You have absorb’d me.’
John Keats and Fanny Brawn depicted in film, Bright Star.4. Ernest Hemingway professes his love to Marlene Dietrich (1951)
‘I can’t say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home.’
5. Napoleon Bonaparte sends his love to Josephine de Beauharnais (1796)
‘Since I left you, I have been constantly depressed. My happiness is to be near you. Incessantly I live over in my memory your caresses, your tears, your affectionate solicitude. The charms of the incomparable Josephine kindle continually a burning and a glowing flame in my heart.’
6. Richard Burton tells Elizabeth Taylor of her beauty (1964)
‘My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you. You don’t realize of course, E.B., how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness.’
Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton7. King Henry VIII expresses his love for Anne Boleyn (1527)
‘I beg to know expressly your intention touching the love between us. Necessity compels me to obtain this answer, having been more than a year wounded by the dart of love, and not yet sure whether I shall fail or find a place in your affection.’
8. Beethoven pens his love for his ‘Immortal Beloved’ whose true identity remains a mystery (1812)
‘Though still in bed, my thoughts go out to you, my Immortal Beloved, Be calm-love me-today-yesterday-what tearful longings for you-you-you-my life-my all-farewell. Oh continue to love me-never misjudge the most faithful heart of your beloved. Ever thine. Ever mine. Ever ours.’
9. Gerald Ford reminds wife Betty Ford of his and their family’s love for her shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer (1974)
‘No written words can adequately express our deep, deep love. We know how great you are and we, the children and Dad, will try to be as strong as you. Our Faith in you and God will sustain us. Our total love for you is everlasting.’
Gerald and Betty Ford10. Jimi Hendrix tells his ‘little girl’ to spread her wings (date unknown)
‘Happiness is within you*. so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow like the sweet flower you are*..I know the answer-Just spread your wings and set yourself FREE’
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'Jimmy' Hendrix? Really? REALLY?!