Valentine in Cursive

Start with the capital V: a small entry loop, a downstroke to the baseline and an upstroke back to the top that ends in a small curve. The V does not join: lift the pen after it and start the a with its own entry stroke. The a is an oval closed at the top, then a downstroke on its right side that exits at the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the l. The l is a tall loop that returns to the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the e. The e is a small loop drawn from the baseline up through the midline and back down; it runs from the baseline straight into the n. The n is two humps drawn from the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the t. The t is a short upstroke and a downstroke back to the baseline, with its crossbar added later; it runs from the baseline straight into the i. The i is a short upstroke to the midline and a downstroke back to the baseline; it runs from the baseline straight into the n. The n is written as before; it runs from the baseline straight into the e. The e is written as before, and its exit stroke finishes the word.

When the word is finished, go back and dot the i, then cross the t. A common slip in Valentine is dropping the exit of v to the baseline, so the next letter starts too low and the pair reads as u.