Founded on February 14, 1882, when a Southern Pacific Railroad crew reached the site in far west Texas, the town has been celebrating its namesake date ever since.

 

Every February since 1994, the Valentine Post Office receives thousands of requests from romantics across the country who want their cards postmarked with the town’s fitting name. According to the US Postal Service, this year’s custom postmark features a scenic West Texas landscape designed by Romeo Garcia, an 11th-grader at Valentine Independent School District. Here’s this year’s design by Garcia.

 

The postmaster personally hand-cancels each envelope with the special Valentine postmark. Sometimes the sole postmaster receives as many as 12,000 cards each year. That loyal employee then forwards your card to its final destination.

 

Here’s the skinny on how it works:

Important: To ensure delivery by February 14, your request must reach Valentine by February 5, 2026. And I would also add that it still might not make it in time, depending on where you are located in the U.S. or around the world.

I know most of you reading this will not be able to make the deadline this year but add it to future calendars to show some Texas love. Valentine may be 200 miles southeast of El Paso and be as rural as they come, but every Valentine’s Day, it becomes the most romantic address in Texas.

 

One of the best-known tourist locations in Texas is San Antonio, (remember the Alamo?), and the San Antonio Riverwalk.  It’s a fantastic place for Valentine’s Day celebrations. Couples can stroll hand-in-hand along the river while neon lights from the local bars, restaurants, and music venues provide ambiance along the path. Restaurants offer special Valentine’s Day dinner packages, and couples can even book romantic dinner cruises along the river. For a unique touch, visit Love Lock Bridge where couples commemorate their relationships.

For a romantic weekend retreat, Jefferson in East Texas is hard to beat. The town’s brick streets, historic homes, and downtown provide a beautiful setting for couples. Jefferson features numerous bed and breakfasts within stately 19th-century homes that embody Southern hospitality, most within walking distance of the downtown shops and restaurants.

Fredericksburg, in the Texas Hill Country, is the epicenter of Texas Wine Country with more than 75 wineries, vineyards, and tasting rooms. Couples can enjoy the Texas Wine Lover’s Celebration featuring over 40 wineries with complimentary tastings, or two-step the night away at Luckenbach’s 51st Annual Hug-In and Valentine Ball.

 

 

Granbury’s historic town square feels like something from a classic love story, complete with shops, restaurants, and one of the prettiest courthouses in the Lone Star State. Couples can enjoy wine tastings at local vineyards, catch a performance at the Granbury Opera House, or watch the sunset over Lake Granbury for a peaceful romantic moment together.

 

Whether you’re sending love through the postal service or want an in-person experience with family and friends in one of Texas’ ‘love‘ly communities, I wish you the best this Valentine’s season and beyond.

 

Until next time from Texas…safe travels!