My friends and I recently had a conversation about when it's the proper time to say "I love you" to friends. The conversation came up during brunch one morning and it got me thinking because no one really ever talks about when to say "I love you" to platonic, non-significant others. Personally, I was not one to say "I love you" to my friends unless they were leaving for college after a break, and if I ever did it was usually over text message. When I moved in with my current roommate, she said it every night before she went to bed. At first it threw me off a bit because I felt a bit awkward not saying it back. However, I got used to saying it back every night and suddenly it seemed very natural.
Saying those three little words to a significant other is a big step. On "Gossip Girl," Chuck and Blair's whole relationship was based on saying those "three words, eight letters." Everyone has a different timeline for when its the proper time to lose your "I love you"-ginity. Three months? Six months? One year? According to "How I Met Your Mother," the first date is definitely too early to say "I love you" and you may be labeled an "I love you" slut. The "I love you" slut says it quite often and this may seem like they don't actually mean it when they say it. The opposite end of this spectrum would be an "I love you " prude, someone who never says it and therefore it is something special when they do. The meaningfulness of the "I love you"s from either the "I love you" slut or the "I love you" prude is debatable and definitely depends on the person saying it.
Before I met some of my best friends in college, I would not say "I love you" to my friends very often. However, I've come to seriously appreciate the small and simple gesture of showing a friend that you care. In the melodramatic and wise words of Meredith Grey: "Did you say it? 'I love you. I don't ever wanna live without you. You changed my life.' Did you say it? Make a plan. Set a goal. Work toward it. But every now and then look around. Drink it in. 'Cause this is it. It might all be gone tomorrow." While not all of us live in the drama-filled world of Shondaland, Meredith's words still carry some truth to them. It is important to tell the people you love that you love them because you really don't know what tomorrow will bring. This doesn't mean constantly smothering your friends in "I love you"s and gifts out of anxiety because showing that you care can come in different forms for different people. The meaning behind my "I love you"s is not me professing my undying love. Just remember to show your friends some love and take the leap to say those three little words. You'll never regret that you did.
When do you think it is the proper time to say "I love you"? (To significant or non-significant others.)
