Line Breaks in php - not working.

[yeah!]

I have changed the text on the order confirmation emails via the checkout_process.php
From my understanding all I need to do to create line breaks is insert the standard <br/> where I want them. However its not working. In the confirmation emails all the text runs together in one long paragraph. Please tell me what I'm missing here! Thanks.

Text from .php follows:
define('EMAIL_THANKS_FOR_SHOPPING','Thank you so very much for ordering from Hoopclothes.com!
We appreciate your business, and look forward to you enjoying your purchase fully.<br/><br/>

Your order will be taken care of promptly. We will let you know if it will take more than a few days to ship it out as some of our products are made to order.<br/><br/>

May your day be filled with joy, laughter and love!<br/>
Many blessings to you..........');<br/><br/>