Devendra Kumar
In Loveland, Colorado, the air is alive with affection as Valentine’s Day approaches. For nearly eight decades, Loveland has been a magnet for couples and individuals, beckoning them to send love letters and receive a unique postmark. This tradition has earned Loveland the title of “Sweetheart City,” drawing tens of thousands of people from around the world to participate in this festive event each year.
As Valentine’s Day draws near, volunteers don Valentine-themed attire to stamp thousands of envelopes with the coveted Loveland postmark. This year’s edition reads, “Love is our message – Hearts are our brand. Happy Valentine’s Day from the City of LOVEland.” Joyce Boston, an 89-year-old volunteer who has been stamping since 1997, finds joy in the camaraderie and sense of purpose this work brings. “What do I get out of it? Is a lot of new friends. Friendship. Spreading love. I love spreading love,” she explains. “And I love doing volunteer work. It keeps me, gives me a reason to keep living. Yes. Keeps me young.”
The Valentine’s Day celebrations in Loveland extend far beyond the postmark. The city hosts a Sweetheart Festival, crowns a Miss Loveland Valentine, and is adorned with hearts in various forms, from lampposts to murals. Visitors can also attach padlocks engraved with names and messages of love to a large metal Love sign at the city’s visitor center. This beloved tradition receives mail from all 50 US states and 110 countries, making Loveland the largest and most unique Valentine’s Day postmark program in the world.
Mindy McCloughan, president and CEO of the Loveland Chamber of Commerce, notes that in a time of uncertainty, sharing love and compassion is a powerful way to bring people together. Loveland’s Valentine’s Day postmark program is a beacon of love and kindness, spreading joy and affection to all who participate and creating a sense of community that transcends borders and boundaries. “In a time when there is such uncertainty in the world, what greater thing to do than to share love and compassion and hope with those around the world when it’s just time when it’s needed most?” McCloughan says.
As the city prepares for this year’s Valentine’s Day celebrations, thousands of envelopes await the Loveland postmark, each one bearing a message of love and affection. With volunteers like Joyce Boston stamping them down, the city’s message of love and kindness is spreading globally, one envelope at a time. This Valentine’s Day, Loveland’s legacy of love will once again shine bright, reminding people from around the world of the power of love and compassion to bring people together.