LOVING, Texas — Commercialism rules the Valentine’s Day holiday for many couples.
But for those who prefer the good ol’ fashioned love letter, it is the specialty of one North Texas community.
The unincorporated community of Loving, Texas sits about 100 miles northwest of the Metroplex on State Highway 114 and has very little to speak of besides a café, a church and a post office.
And the post office is the main attraction.
“We probably get 2 or 3 people a day and send out about 140 letters a week,” said postmaster Susan Neal.
But their workload ratchets up quiet a bit as February 14 approaches.
“People from all over are mailing in their valentines.”
Like a handful of post offices across the country, Loving has a name that lends itself to the holiday and other expressions of love. You can buy valentine cards and stamps anywhere, but a name appropriate postmark is a specialty you can only get from a postal worker.
“This year, we have seen California, Washington, Virginia, Illinois. We also received one from Thailand,” said Neal. “People also send in their wedding invitations to get stamped”
Just like its well-known brethren in Valentine, Texas, people address and add postage to their valentines, then put them in a larger envelope addressed to the Loving Post Office (401 Hawkins St, Loving, Texas 76460). Postal workers then open the envelope and process the letters inside like they would any other, complete with the “Loving” postmark. They will even hold onto the letters to make sure they arrive shortly before or on February 14.
The United States Postal Service website lists all the “love stations” across the country that includes Texas cities of Loving, Valentine, Lovelady, Honey Grove and Venus.
And for the few hundred people of Loving, it is a point of pride.
“It is very exciting to have something special in your town,” said Neal. “They are proud of their little town and proud they have a post office.”
United States Postal Service "Love Stations"
Bliss, ID 83314
Bliss, NY 14024
Bridal Veil, OR 97010
Darling, MS 38623
Deary, ID 83823
Eros, LA 71238
Fidelity, IL 62030
Heart Butte, MT 59448
Heartwell, NE 68945
Honey Brook, PA 19344
Honey Creek, WI 53138
Honey Grove, TX 75446
Honeyville, UT 84314
Juliette, GA 31046
Kissimmee, FL 34744
Lovejoy, GA 30250
Lovejoy, IL 62059
Lovelady, TX 75851
Loveland, CO 80538
Loveland, OH 45140
Lovelock, NV 89419
Lovely, KY 41231
Loveville, MD 20656
Loving, NM 88256
Loving, TX 76460
Romance, AR 72136
Romeo, CO 81148
Romeo, MI 48065
Sugar City, CO 81076
Sugar City, ID 83448
Valentine, NE 69201
Valentines, VA 23887
Venus, FL 33960
Venus, PA 16364
Venus, TX 76084