I have always been a firm believer in the phrase, "Actions speak louder than words." While I love words and the magic that they create in novel, poems and stories, I also know the way words can be manipulated by humans so that they hurt and confuse others. One word that is often overused, misinterpreted, and said without meaning is "love."
In your lifetime, I'm sure many people have said that they love you. But how many actually meant it? How many truly showed you they loved you? How many times was the phrase, "I love you," left empty rather than full of heart? We seek validation of our relationships with others through this word, but relationships cannot be validated by a word that has lost its meaning. The word "love" has been chewed up and spit out so many times by humanity that what once was a word defined by intimate feelings from the depths of our souls is now defined by fickle hearts and fleeting emotions.
But fear not; there are various ways to share your love for someone rather than showering them in half-hearted, "I love you." Sometimes, it's all about the little things that someone does for you that shows their greatest affections.
Love is...
1. Telling someone to take an umbrella when it's raining.
2. Not eating the last slice of pizza (even though you reall wanted to).
3. Getting up from the comfy sofa during a Netflix marathon for a snack and asking the other person if they also want something.
4. Telling someone to text you when they get home safely.
5. Lending your favorite book to someone.
6. Sending a "Good morning" text.
7. Sending a "Goodnight" text.
8. Finding a funny meme or video online and sending it to a friend to make them laugh.
9. Letting someone else take control of the aux cord.
10. Giving a bear hug instead of asking, "Are you OK?"
11. Buying two coffees instead of one.
12. Smiling when your person sings off key.
13. Joining in with the god awful singing.
14. Playing with someone's hair at the end of a long day (thanks, Mom).
15. Lending your coziest sweatshirt to your loved one when they're cold.
16. Coming home to folded laundry and clean dishes.
17. Saying, "I saw this and thought of you."
18. Genuinely asking how someone's day was and actually caring about the answer.
19. "Take a jacket, it's cold outside."
20. "Don't forget... "
21. Sharing your french fries. Or ice cream pint. Or any precious food with anyone.
22. Letting someone use your charger even though your phone battery is lower.
23. Playing someone's favorite song when they're sad.
24. Telling one of your cheesiest jokes just to make someone smile.
Special shout-out to all of my family and friends for having to put up with my terrible jokes and puns.
25. Getting your loved one's favorite takeout food on a Friday night (even if it's not your favorite).
26. Going to Rite Aid before a movie to buy cheaper candy and buying the other person's favorite snack, too.
27. Knowing when to listen and when to speak.
28. Giving someone your biggest smile on their worst day.
29. Putting a blanket over your loved one when they fall asleep on the couch.
30. Saying, "I love you," and actually meaning it wholeheartedly.
These actions, however small, are filled with the selfless, accepting and caring kind of love that this world so desperately needs more of. At the end of the day, our actions move whole mountains while our words are merely sand slipping through our teeth. Do not give someone the promise of love if all you plan on doing is keeping that love empty and unfulfilled. If you do love someone, let the word "love" dance around in their ears when you truly and honestly mean it. And, of course, let them have the last slice of pizza.
