Everyone knows there's about a billion ways to say I love you, whether that be familial love, friendly love, or relationship love.
Now, all of these types love come with their own benefits and drawbacks. They all differ in a lot of ways too. The way you say I love you to your elderly grandmother is going to differ greatly from the way you say I love you to the person you're involved romantically with.
It's not much of a then surprise that some of the ways that I love you is said, don't even involve saying those three simple words.
1. Presence
To be clear, presence isn't just showing up every now and again. It's being there, good times and bad, for that person. This differs depending on relationships but still holds true across the board in one way or another. It's knowing when to give your best friend space or push at the boundaries of that space until they open up. It's seeing the dark past of your S.O. and sticking around to help them deal with those feelings. It's visiting your sick grandmother even though her house smells like cheap perfume and cats. It's taking time out of your day for them, just so they know you're there.
2. Teasing
With this I mean the harmless teasing that you know won't hurt their feelings, not the destructive kind. It's pushing buttons that you know you can push without being hurtful to their well being. It's calling your best friend a nickname that only you can call them. It's referring to your husband/wife or whatever, as a dweeb because they got super excited about something mundane. It's reminding your mom of the time that she called you by all of your siblings names before finally getting to you.
3. Answering
This one relates back to phone calls, text messages, or whatever means of communication you're using. It's answering the phone when your brother drunk dials you at three in the morning because he wants to tell you he loves you. It's talking with him until you're sure he's not going to drive. It's texting your best friend that you miss him/her randomly just so they know that you're thinking of them. It's letting them know that no matter what you're always there even if you're 5,000 miles away from home.
4. Remembering
This one seems pretty self explanatory. It's about remembering what they told you. When they feel down it's bringing up the good memories and reminding them that they can get through the rough patch. It's taking time to remember loved ones that passed away so that your family can all try to move forward. It's remembering your S.O.'s favorite candy and bringing it home after a particularly rough day at work.
Some people have a harder time saying the three actual words, but that doesn't mean that they don't care. Whether they say it out loud or not, chances are if they do these four things they love you.