In an anniversary card, write the number of years, one specific thing from this year or from the start, and what you are looking forward to. For your own partner, a small true detail says more than a big declaration. For another couple, congratulate them, say one thing you admire about the two of them together, and wish them well. Two to five sentences either way.
The formula
For your partner:
- Mark the day. "Six years today."
- One specific thing. A memory from this year, a habit of theirs you love, something they did when things were hard.
- What it means to you. One plain sentence.
- What is next. Tonight's plan, next year, the long run.
For a couple:
- Congratulate them and name the number.
- One thing you have seen in them. How they look after each other, a memory of the wedding, what it is like to be in their house.
- A wish.
Examples
Your husband, wife or partner
Warm:
Nine years today. This was the year you drove four hours to bring me soup when I had flu, and then pretended you'd been passing. I notice these things, even when I don't say so. I love you. Dinner is booked for eight.
Happy anniversary, my love. I still look for you first in every room. Thank you for another year of being on my side.
A first anniversary:
One year married, and I still can't believe you said yes. Thank you for the best year of my life, including the month with no kitchen. Here's to the next fifty.
Many years in:
Thirty-one years. Two children, four houses, one terrible caravan. I would do every bit of it again with you, caravan included.
After a hard year:
This year asked a lot of us. We are still here, and I am still sure. Thank you for staying at the table when it would have been easier to leave it. Happy anniversary. I love you.
Apart on the day:
Happy anniversary from the wrong side of an ocean. I hate that I'm not there. Twelve more weeks, and then I am taking you to that place by the harbour and not letting go of your hand all night.
Funny:
Happy anniversary to the only person I'd share my chips with. Not many of them. But some.
Eight years and you still laugh at my jokes. Either I'm funny or you're very kind. Happy anniversary either way.
Your parents
Happy 40th anniversary, Mum and Dad. Everything I know about being married I learned from watching you two argue about the map and then hold hands in the car park. Thank you for showing us how it's done. Love, Freya
Happy anniversary to you both. Thirty-five years, and Dad still makes your tea before his own. We noticed. With all our love.
Grandparents, or a big milestone
Dear Gran and Grandpa, sixty years. I can't imagine it, and I hope I'm lucky enough to find out. Thank you for the house we all still call home. With so much love, Daniel
A couple who are friends
Happy anniversary, you two. Five years since the wedding where it rained on everything except the dancing. You're still the couple we most like having round. Here's to the next five.
Happy first anniversary. Married life suits you both. Come for dinner soon and tell us everything.
A couple you barely know
A coworker, a neighbour, friends of your parents. Short and warm is right.
Congratulations on your anniversary. Wishing you both a lovely day and many happy years ahead.
Happy 25th anniversary to you both, with warm wishes from all of us next door.
A work anniversary
A different occasion, and the same shape: the number, one specific thing, a thank you.
Ten years today, Gwen. This place would not run without you, and the Monday meeting would be half as funny. Thank you.
When one of them has died
The date still comes round for the one who is left. Do not send a congratulations card. Send a short note on the day to say you remember.
Thinking of you today. I know it would have been your fortieth. I remember him dancing at our wedding as if nobody was watching. Sending love.
What to avoid
- "Ball and chain" jokes. "Another year of putting up with you" is fine if that is how the two of you talk. To another couple it is a risk.
- The printed verse alone. Add something of your own, even one line.
- A list of their looks. "You're beautiful" is nice to read. "You still hum when you cook" is better.
- The hard year, item by item. You can say it was hard. The card is not the place to go back through it.
- Comparisons. Other couples, exes, how things used to be.
- Advice, to another couple. And no questions about children.
- Promises you will not keep. "I'll be home more" goes in the card only if it is true.
Writing one with Hemmingway
The anniversary message generator helps when you know what you feel and cannot get it into three sentences. Tell it who the card is for, how many years it is, and one real memory or habit. It works only from what you tell it, so it will not invent a holiday you never took. Read the result, change whatever does not sound like you, and write it in by hand. There is a free trial with no card needed, and the plans are on the pricing page.
If a card is not enough room, there is a guide on how to write a love letter, and the love poem generator makes a short poem from your own details. For the wedding itself, see what to write in a wedding card.
Try HemmingwayDownload the app
Common questions
What do you write in an anniversary card for your husband or wife?
Write the number of years, one specific memory or habit you love, and one plain sentence about what they mean to you. "Nine years today. You still bring me tea before I'm awake. I love you" says more than a long verse.
What is a short anniversary message?
"Happy anniversary. I'd choose you again" works for a partner. For a couple, "Happy anniversary to you both, and here's to many more" is enough, and better with their names and the number of years.
What do you write in an anniversary card for your parents?
Congratulate them, name the number, and mention one thing you learned from watching them, or one small habit of theirs you love. Children notice the everyday things, and parents like to hear which ones.
What do you write for a first anniversary?
Look back at one moment from the first year, funny or sweet, and look ahead. "One year in, and I'd marry you again tomorrow" is the right size. Save the long speech for the tenth.
What do you write in an anniversary card for a couple?
Say happy anniversary, mention the number of years if you know it, and add one warm thing about them as a pair or a memory of their wedding. Two or three sentences is plenty.
What do you write for a work anniversary?
Name the number of years, one specific thing the person does that the place depends on, and say thank you. Keep it to two or three sentences, and leave out jokes about how old they are getting.