Writing lists is one of the best ways to ease yourself into a writing practice. That’s because lists are a neat container for ideas that can be disorganized and unruly. Our brains love lists.

So when we’re rushing around trying to find the perfect Valentine for our sweethearts, why not craft a love list? My inspiration comes from Blueprint for a Marriage - A list of 12 lovable qualities of architect Eero Saarinen’s wife.

He crafted a love letter that’s a list. He described it as a list filled with “feverish ardor.” Since I’m a fan of feverish ardor (especially on Valentine’s Day), I decided to borrow Saarinen’s structure and write one for my husband on Valentine’s Day.

But first, here are two important notes if you decide to write your own:

1. Saarinen used Roman numerals.

2. Saarinen added an out-of-order, extra Roman numeral near the end of his list that’s a callback to an earlier item on the list. That’s the playful and clever part of his structure that caught my eye (and will for your Valentine, too).

List Love Written by Lorrie For Ron

I First, I recognized that you are kind.

II That your skin is like butter.

III That you are quick to get my clever jokes.

IV That there is gleam in your eye.

V That you love hiking in the Sierras.

VI That we can talk about anything.

VII That you work hard.

VIII That you never call anyone names or gossip.

IX That you have a math/science brain that’s also comfortable in the artsy/writing realm.

IIIA That you have a brilliant sense of humor.

X That you cook a mean butterflied chicken.

XI That you take care of parents, daughters, and dogs well.

XII That the more I… (Sorry, Dear Readers, I’m saving this racy one just for Ron so he has at least one surprise on the 14th.)

So, did you see the clever little thing I copied from Eero’s piece? Look carefully at III and IIIA. Isn’t that fun? Be playful when you write yours and feel free to use some of my sentence starters for your list like:

• First, I recognized that you are…

• That you are…

• That we can…

• That you never…

• That you love…

• That you have…

• That the more I…

So add this fun idea to your Valentine’s TO-DO list. Write one for a sweetheart, your kid, or a galentine! Maybe you can help your child write one for a grandparent or your partner.

Long live our love for lists!

(To see Eero’ Saarinen’s original piece in his own handwriting, plus a deeper dive into the romance with his beloved wife, Love and Architecture is a great read. Saarrinen designed the Gateway Arch, the TWA Terminal at JFK Airport, and the Tulip Chair. )