''The greatest woman I ever met'': World’s most romantic love letter

A heart-warming hand written note from Johnny Cash to his wife June has been voted the world's greatest ever love letter.

Thanks to text, instant messaging, Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and Snapchat there are plenty of ways to tell each other “I Love You”.

But once upon a time it had to be done face to face – which could be a bit daunting – or more preferably via a perfume soaked love letter.

Man in Black, music legend Johnny Cash wrote his heartfelt note to “the greatest woman I ever met” on his wife June Carter’s 65th birthday.

It topped a recent poll by insurer Beagle Street which asked people to vote on the greatest love letters ever written.

There are plenty of other examples of famous love letters throughout the ages from Henry VIII, John Keats and rock and roll great Jimi Hendrix.

Read Johnny Cash's full love letter and the best of the rest below with our collection to inspire you to put pen to paper yourself come Valentine's Day this Saturday.

10) Jimi Hendrix to unknown girlfriend (unknown date)

“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”

9) President Gerald Ford to Betty Ford (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.”

8) Beethoven to His ‘Immortal Beloved’ (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.”

7) King Henry VIII to 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.”

6) Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor (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.”

5) Napoleon Bonaparte 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.”

4) Ernest Hemingway to Marlene Dietrich (1951)

“I can’t say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home.”

3) John Keats to Fanny Brawne (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.”

2) Winston Churchill to Clementine Churchill (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.”

“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.

"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.

"Happy birthday princess.... John"