The greatest love letter ever

A note from singer-songwriter Johnny Cash to his wife, June Carter Cash, has topped a poll of the greatest love letters of all time.

The letter was written in 1994 to mark June's 65th birthday.The pair married in 1968, and remained together for more than 30 years. June passed away in May 2003; her husband died four months later.

The letter reads:

Happy Birthday Princess,

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 realize 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

Below are the 10 greatest love letters, as voted for in the poll:

• Johnny Cash wishes wife June Carter a happy 65th birthday (1994).
• Winston Churchill writes to his wife, Clementine, in 1935.

Extract: "In your letter from Madras you wrote some words very dear to me, about my 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 ...."

• Poet John Keats writes to his neighbour Fanny Brawne in 1819.

Extract: "My love has made me selfish. 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."

• Author Ernest Hemingway professes his love to actress Marlene Dietrich in 1951.

Extract: "I can't say how every time I ever put my arms around you I felt that I was home. Nor too many things. But we were always cheerful and jokers together."

• Napoleon Bonaparte writes to Josephine de Beauharnais in 1796.

Extract: "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."

• Actor Richard Burton writes to actress Elizabeth Taylor in 1964.

Extract: "My blind eyes are desperately waiting for the sight of you. You don't realize of course, EB, how fascinatingly beautiful you have always been, and how strangely you have acquired an added and special and dangerous loveliness."

• King Henry VIII writes to Anne Boleyn in 1527.

Extract: "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."

• Beethoven writes to his "Immortal Beloved" (whose true identity remains a mystery) in 1812.

Extract: "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."

• US President Gerald Ford writes to his wife Betty Ford in 1974, shortly after she was diagnosed with breast cancer.

Extract: "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 total love for you is everlasting."

• Musician Jimi Hendrix writes to an unknown girlfriend (date unknown).

Extract: "little girl .....

happiness is within you .... so unlock the chains from your heart and let yourself grow -

like the sweet flower you are .....

Love to you forever"