This week I had to drop my boyfriend off at the airport. When you say goodbye to someone you love, it's natural to say, "I love you," but depending on who you're dropping off, "I love you" might not fit in that situation. After I left the airport I started to think of all of the other ways there are to say "I love you" for those situations. Here's what I could come up with.

1. "This made me think of you."

I LOVE when my friends or family say this to me. This sentence makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Inside my head, I'm thinking, Really? You thought of me? When I wasn't around? That's so sweet! I think this is one of the most touching things someone can say to you.

2. "Text me when you get home."

I always say this to my parents after they've come for a visit. I also say it to my friends after they leave my apartment, even if they only have a short walk back to campus. I can't fully relax until I know my loved one is back home, safe and sound.

3. "Drive safely!"

I say this all the time, usually as a follow up to number two. Driving is the most dangerous way to travel--it's rare that I don't see at least one car accident when I drive on the interstate. I hope that by saying "Drive safely" I'm sprinkling good vibes and safety on their journey ahead.

4. "I missed you."

Missing someone is an indescribable feeling--it's a little bit like feeling a hole inside of your chest. When you see them again after some time apart, it's like that hole is filled. When someone tells me that they've missed me, I know exactly how they're feeling.

5. "I can't wait to see you."

Getting excited to see someone is another surefire way to know that you have a good connection. I say this every time I'm going to catch up with my high school friends, but I probably say this most often to my cat.

6. "You're the best!"

This expression doesn't get tossed around a lot. Usually I tend to say it when I'm really thankful for something that someone did for me. Sometimes "I love you" is too intimate for a situation, so this is a good option to say to a friend or coworker.

7. "I don't know what I'd do without you."

If you can't imagine your life without someone in it, then it's love, even if it's a platonic love between friends. I cannot imagine my life without any of the people that I regularly say "I love you" to.

All seven of these phrases aren't used as much as "I love you," but they say it in different ways. Knowing that people care about you and appreciate you is one of the best feelings in the world. Use these phrases to ell your loved ones how much they mean to you!