One of my favorite quotes is, "One day you will learn to give and receive love like an open window, and every day will feel like summer." Our lives are a constant flow of seasons regardless of the weather around us. When I reflect upon the "summers" of my life, I think of strong relationships with others and with myself. As we go through transitions in our lives, sometimes we forget the importance of letting others love us and loving on the people around us. Every day it is overlooked how many ways we subtly, but meaningfully, say, “I love you." The English language is filled with countless phrases and gestures that can be translated into this powerful phrase without actually saying it. Whether it is a simple phrase that expresses thought and care or a sentence that offers a deeper meaning, the more we train our brains in to pick up on these phrases the more we are able to give and receive love like an open window and lead us to live in some of our warmest summers. Here are 25 phrases I believe are another way of saying, "I love you."
- “Put on your seatbelt.”
- “Look both ways.”
- “Call me when you get home safely.”
- “Watch your step.”
- “I’m proud of you.”
- “How was your day?”
- “I saw this and thought of you.”
- “How are you feeling?”
- “Drive safely.”
- “Be careful”
- “Take a deep breath.”
- “You can do it.”
- “Sweet dreams.”
- “I noticed.”
- “Promise.”
- “Do you want half?”
- “I’m sorry.”
- “I trust you.”
- “I was worried about you.”
- “I miss you.”
- “Get some rest.”
- “Can I help?”
- “This made me think of you.”
- “Take a jacket, it’s cold outside.”
- “You’re enough.”
We get so caught up in that three word phrase, “I love you." that we forget about the other (sometimes more meaningful) reminders that we are loved and cared for. There is love all around us; sometimes we just have to open our ears to identify the different acknowledgments to express that love.
