valentine
Signed, Sealed,
Delivered
Ismelda Ornelas is
a Real-Life Cupid
When she was a teenager, Ismelda Ornelas won the Valentine post office’s annual contest to design an official ink stamp for Valentine’s Day. Her winning image—two horses, one with a flower in his mouth, the other batting her eyelashes—was an homage not only to her hometown (population 71), but to her late father, a rancher and horse lover who died when she was 13. Nearly two decades later, she hand-stamps thousands of Valentine’s Day cards from around the country as postmaster of the far West Texas town.
A third-generation Valentinian, Ornelas took on the role of postmaster—and Cupid—in 2019 and enjoys playing a small part in spreading love around the world. She processes anywhere from 4,000 to 12,000 valentines each year and often works 12-hour days during the February rush. “Every valentine that lands in my post office means someone has taken the time to think about another person, to write something kind by hand, and to care enough to send it to our town for a special stamp,” she says. (To do the same, send a card to the Valentine postmaster with the recipient’s address and postage inside a larger envelope by Feb. 5.)
Ornelas’ love of letters is rooted in her upbringing. When her grandma developed Alzheimer’s, she asked Ornelas to write her Christmas cards for her. “After she passed away, I started handwriting my Christmas cards because it helps me feel close to her,” she says.
Ornelas believes all cards that come through Valentine are special, but some are extra memorable. One man sent her 14 different cards for the same recipient. “He asked to have one mailed out each day beginning on Feb. 1st,” Ornelas says. She dutifully obliged.
Enjoying this article?Ornelas’ Valentine Picks
1 ⁄ Valentine’s in Valentine Festival
On Feb. 15, the town holds this 13th annual festival and welcomes visitors from all over to the Old Mercantile building (pictured). There are food vendors and live music—Jimmie Vaughan headlined last year, and there’s often a Hispanic band or two. You might even see Ornelas there, though not until later in the day. “I usually work late catching up on valentines,” she says.
2 ⁄ Prada Marfa
This biodegradable, adobe brick land art project by Scandinavian artists Elmgreen and Dragset isn’t in Marfa, despite its name. It’s actually 2 miles outside Valentine. “It’s really cute,” Ornelas says. “It looks like a twin to my post office.”
3 ⁄ The Water Stop restaurant, Marfa
Situated in a former filling station, this Marfa eatery about 30 minutes from Valentine serves everything from steak frites to fresh burrata with artichoke tapenade. “They’re known for their green chile burgers, which are delicious,” Ornelas says.
4 ⁄ Davis Mountains State Park, Fort Davis
Miles of trails and scenic overlooks abound in this state park, which is 45 miles from Valentine and perfect for camping or a day of hiking, mountain biking, and picnicking. “Spring and fall are the best times to spend here,” she says.
5 ⁄ McDonald Observatory, Fort Davis
The wide-open skies and lack of light pollution in far West Texas make it perfect for stargazing. Visit McDonald Observatory, an hour drive from Valentine, for a star party, which includes a tour of the constellations and telescope views.
