Valentine's letter to a friend: where February 14 is Friendship Day, plus an example
Valentine's Day is also a day to thank a friend. Friendship Day in Finland and Estonia, Mexico's Day of Love and Friendship, Japan's friend chocolate, how to write a friendship letter and the Lettie stamp.
Valentine's Day is also a day to thank a friend. In Finland and Estonia, February 14 is officially Friend's Day. On Lettie, sending one letter between Feb 8, 12:00 UTC and Feb 15, 12:00 UTC earns a free Valentine's stamp (a white heart on pink).
Where February 14 is about friendship
| Where | February 14 | Greeting |
|---|---|---|
| Finland | Friend's Day (ystävänpäivä); people send cards to friends | Hyvää ystävänpäivää! |
| Estonia | Friend's Day (sõbrapäev) | Head sõbrapäeva! |
| Mexico and much of Latin America | Day of Love and Friendship (Día del Amor y la Amistad); Colombia marks it in September | ¡Feliz Día del Amor y la Amistad! |
| Japan | Friends swap "tomo-choco" (友チョコ, friend chocolate); the return gift comes on White Day, March 14 | 友チョコどうぞ! |
| United States | Some celebrate February 13 as "Galentine's Day", a day for friends | Happy Galentine's Day! |
Not every country or family celebrates Valentine's Day. Ask first: "What do you do on February 14?"
Three lines for a friend
- One moment you were grateful for — "the letter you sent last month when exams were wearing me down".
- One thing you like about them — "you always leave me a question, so writing back is fun".
- One thing to do together — "let's each send a photo of our neighbourhood this year".
Example letter
Happy Friendship Day! In Finland today is Friend's Day, so I wanted to write to you. I still reread the letter you sent last month when I told you exams were wearing me down. You always leave me a question, which makes writing back a joy. Shall we swap a photo of our neighbourhoods this year?
A few cautions
- With a pen pal you just met, skip lines that read like a love letter. Translation can make them sound stronger. "Thank you" and "I love your letters" are plenty.
- Don't expect anything back. A letter is a gift, not a trade.
- White Day (March 14) has a holiday stamp too. The reminder goes to people in KR, JP, TW, CN.
The holidays around Valentine's are Lunar New Year and Cat Day. The full schedule is in the holiday stamp calendar; for thank-you letters, see Thanksgiving letter to a friend.
Frequently asked questions
- Can I send a Valentine's letter to a friend?
- Yes. Finland and Estonia celebrate February 14 as Friend's Day, Mexico and other countries call it the Day of Love and Friendship, and in Japan friends swap “tomo-choco” (friend chocolate).
- What should a Valentine's letter to a friend say?
- One moment you were grateful for, one thing you like about them, and one thing you want to do together. With a pen pal you just met, avoid lines that read like a love letter.
- How do I get the Lettie Valentine's stamp?
- Send one letter between Feb 8, 12:00 UTC and Feb 15, 12:00 UTC and a free stamp arrives.