Key Facts

• The Valentine Post Office in Texas has a special tradition of releasing a Valentine’s Day postmark every year.
• This postmark serves as a decorative ink stamp applied over regular postage stamps.
• Postmaster Ismelda Ornelas personally applies the Valentine’s Day postmark by hand to between 10,000 and 12,000 envelopes annually.
• The 2026 postmark design was chosen from a student art contest, created by 11th grader Romeo Garcia.
• The design reflects the landscape seen from Garcia's home.
• The Valentine postmark tradition has been ongoing since 1994, supported by the local school district and post office.
• The postmark for 2026 is available through March 14, 2026, by mailing requests to the Valentine Post Office.
• There is no charge for up to 50 postmark cancellations, with a small fee for additional ones.