In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add the eggs and vanilla extract, mixing well. Gradually add the dry ingredients, mixing until just combined.

Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the dough to firm up.

Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Roll out the chilled dough on a floured surface to about 1/4 inch thick. Use a heart-shaped cookie cutter to cut out cookies. Transfer them to the prepared baking sheet.

Bake in the preheated oven for 8-10 minutes, or until the edges begin to turn golden. Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.

In a bowl, mix powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla extract to make a smooth icing. Divide into bowls and tint each with food coloring.

Spread the icing over each cookie and let it set. Use a piping bag to write sweet messages on top of each cookie.

Once the icing has set, arrange the cookies on a platter or package them as gifts. They are perfect for Valentine's Day celebrations.

Store the cookies in an airtight container at room temperature for up to one week. They can also be frozen for longer storage.