Quick tips

• Name one real moment. "You're always there for me" is kind. "You stayed on the phone all night before my test" is unforgettable.
• Check the memory. A wrong detail hurts more than no detail. If you're unsure, leave it out.
• Match the warmth. Big words for a partner of years, a lighter touch for week three, friend-words for friends.
• Keep it a gift. No complaints, no requests, no advice nobody asked for.
• Sign it like you. A sign-off that sounds like you, and your name, beats a formal ending.