A goodnight text is different than a regular text. There is something extra special about hearing from the person you care about at the end of a long day, as you’re starting to wind down and make your way into bed. It gives you one final smile for the day and a wave of tingly butterflies.

Men aren’t immune to the power of a goodnight text, it has the same dizzying effect on them as it does on us ladies.

I’m going to be honest with you, and I don’t mean to brag, but I’m something of a texting master. I have the do’s and don’ts of texting down pat and always get an eager response. (And if a guy doesn’t text back, here’s why.)

Different men will respond to texts differently just like different men will respond to hot celebrities differently. Some will rouse something inside them…others not so much.

MORE: 225 Amazing Questions to Ask a Guy

A man’s personal preferences dictate who he’s most attracted to physically just like those same personal preferences dictate what kind of text he will respond best to.

At the end of the day, you know him best.

OK, now I’m going to give you some fun scripts and texts to send. Get inspired by these. Put your own spin on them. And use them in a way that feels comfortable and natural to you.

Relationship Texts (you’re in a relationship with him)

It’s important not to let things get stale in a committed relationship. You should always try to let your partner know how much they mean to you, and a goodnight text is a perfect way to do it.

Whether you want to be bold, cute, coy, flirty, or a little sappy, this list has the perfect goodnight text for you to turn your man into mush.

Romantic Goodnight Texts

• “I feel so comfortable with you: if only you were here I’d feel so safe. I love you so much. Goodnight my baby.”
• “It’s freezing in my bed. Wishing you were here to keep me warm.”
• “I’m so grateful to have you in my life. Goodnight, I really do love you.”
• “I don’t want to sound sappy but I get butterflies when I think of you. I’m happy to know you. Sleep well. I love you.”
• “I love you so much. Sweet dreams. Goodnight love of my life.”
• “I miss you so bad. Sleep well.”
• “You must be sleeping or getting ready for bed… just know I can’t stop thinking about you.”
• “Goodnight, my handsome man.”
• “I don’t know what I’d do without you. You are everything”

MORE: 24 Amazing Goodnight Texts

Wait. Remember how a man’s preferences dictate how he will react to your goodnight texts? One man could love a romantic text but how about the guy who would be baffled by it? Or who doesn’t express himself in that way at all?

You can either say:

• “Hey, Butthead. Even though you’re not saying it I know you’re a warm-hearted person. I love that about you.”
• “You make me feel so safe. Yes, I know I sound ridiculous. But whatever it’s true. You’re mine. ;)”
• “Remember this song?: Insert name of a song that has a memory attached to it:”

Long Distance Texts

All of the above texts will work if you’re in a long distance relationship, but these ones are a little more tailored to that.

• “It’s so unfair that we are far apart like this. I would do anything to hold you.”
• “I want to cuddle so badly I miss you so much.”
• “Know that I am thinking of you. I love you so much. Goodnight.”
• “Goodnight love, see you in my dreams :)”

Budding Relationship (Before You Are In An Official Relationship)

This requires more discretion than when you are in an official relationship. When you’re in an official relationship, you don’t need to be as guarded and as careful about how freely you express yourself. When you’re in an unofficial relationship, you can still be yourself, but you don’t want to risk coming across as too desperate or needy. At the same time, being a little forward and bold can sometimes take you to a deeper place.

These texts work because they let him know you’re thinking about him, always a nice feeling, and will make him think of you and wish he was with you right now. With that, you create the space for him to really start thinking about you…missing you…and considering what it would be like to be in an exclusive relationship with you…

Without further adieu, here are the pre-relationship texts to get his heart melting before you fall into a peaceful slumber:

• “I’m in bed right now but thinking of you. Wish you were here.”
• “Man, you give me butterflies.”
• “I hope you have sweet delicious dreams.”
• “Goodnight cute person. I hope you wake up smiling in the morning.”
• “Goodnight hottest, funniest, coolest, awesome-est person I know.”
• “I loved spending the day with you. It was absolutely perfect.”
• “Have a good night. I hope you have sweet dreams of me ;)”

MORE: 50 Good Night Text Messages to Send Someone You Love

Texts If You’re in a Relationship or Almost in a Relationship

The following texts don’t discriminate, they work no matter what your relationship status is.

“I wish you were in bed next to me.”

“I just re-read some of your texts. I’m literally smiling at my phone right now.”
“Thinking of you as I drift off to sleep…”
“I just wanted to say goodnight. Sending you virtual hugs, kisses, squishes, smiles, and sweet dreams of me.”

What Makes These “Goodnight Texts” Matter?

The texts matter because you are letting yourself be vulnerable when you send a text like any of the examples I gave. You’re speaking from the heart. You’re opening your heart and inviting him to do the same. You’re letting yourself feel and give in to the overpowering nature of love or what feels like it could be love.

The warm, tingly, butterfly feeling you can get from reading and receiving these kinds of texts can make you smile involuntarily. And blush. The texts aren’t magic. They are far more real, they are raw emotion.

The bottom line here is… If you feel it in your gut, say it. But say it tactfully (i.e. don’t text that you love him after one date).

Be Realistic And Real

What do I mean by “realistic?” When you meet someone it’s easy to idealize. You might crave true love. As a result, you might project this onto the person you’re interested in.

Being real means never sending texts you don’t mean. Don’t say you love him if you like him a bit. Don’t tell him what you think he wants you to say. If you try to change yourself for someone else, you lose the beauty of what love is: pure and natural. Not forced and artificially created.

MORE: Cute Goodnight Texts

Never Be Fake

I could probably come up with cute texts to send a specific type of man to cater to what he wants but this would ultimately sabotage you. You want to set yourself up to win, not build a relationship on a shaky foundation.

You would be doing both you and him a disservice because you can’t fake who you are at your core forever.

If a man loves cute shy guarded women, could you “win him over” with cute romantic goodnight texts? You could definitely capture some of his attention at first by pretending… but it wouldn’t capture the same kind of attention as it would if you were genuinely that way.

If he’s romantic and loves sweet texts, but you feel icky writing them, why do it? If it’s not genuine and from the heart, the text loses its purpose and becomes more about portraying yourself a certain way rather than creating a deeper connection between you two.

If you love snapping risqué pictures of yourself and are with a guy who loves exhibitionists, this would be a good match. Your texts can still be cute goodnight texts but with a different attitude. An attitude that feels right to you.

If you’re falling asleep and feel the urge to say something, do it. Don’t over think and make yourself nuts.

Now that I have said all this just remember one golden rule: always text with the knowledge that there is a possibility he does not respond. Be 100% OK with this before you send your text. If you don’t have this mentality you will over analyze why he’s not replying and end up driving yourself crazy over him “ignoring you.”

And remember… it’s important not to focus too much on texts. Your texts are just one part of the relationship you have with him. What matters is the quality of your connection and the time you spend with him.