Uttering the words "I Love You" is a huge milestone in any relationship, be it platonic or romantic. If you've ever been in love with someone, you probably remember the first time you told them you loved them. Your heart was probably pounding, and the nervous butterflies were more than likely a storm within your stomach.

Then when you finally muster up the courage to say it, it's effortless. You've built up all this energy and hype within yourself to finally say it, for it to come out so casually. This is probably because you didn't realize you had been telling them you love them for longer than you can even remember. Sure, this is the first time you've explicitly said the words, but there are other ways to say "I love you" without actually saying it, and they are just as important.

One of the first ways we tell people we love them without actually saying it is the classic, "Let me know when you get home safe." You don't realize it, but looking out for their well-being is a sign that you love them, and although you didn't explicitly say it, they know. This goes along with phrases like, "Have you eaten today?" and, "Drive safe."

There is probably an endless list of phrases one could say that basically tell someone you love them that are not the words "I love you," including:

"Have a good day at work!"

"Take my coat."

"It just made me think of you."

"Anything for you."

All of these among a myriad of other phrases and actions are how you can tell someone you love them without actually saying it.

Telling someone you love them isn't always uttering the words; it is in your actions, and I'm not talking about holding the door open for them or buying them flowers. It's looking out for them. Bringing them their favorite food when they're having a rough day, taking care of them, or surprising them.

It's probably obvious you love them if you can remember their Starbucks order. I know this sounds weird, but hear me out. Everyone's Starbucks order is entirely unique to them as a person. They know exactly what drink they like, what sweeteners, what milk, among an endless list of unique changes. Ask any Starbucks barista, they'll probably tell you that hardly anyone orders drinks as they are listed on the menu — everyone wants to add or change something. So you taking the time to remember exactly how they take their drink says "I love you" for you.

Taking care of someone while they're sick is another huge way to tell someone you love them, without ever actually saying it. Let's be honest, you have to love someone to stay up with them at night while they throw up. Or run to the store in the middle of the night just to buy them cough medicine. Not to mention, you're risking getting sick yourself just to spend a little extra time caring for them. You are putting the other person first in this situation, and if that's not love, I don't know what is.

Telling somebody you love them is so much more than just saying the phrase. It's the little things too.