I’m not very good at saying “I love you.” But I’m good at wearing my heart on my sleeve. I’m good at acting silly or laughing easily instead of being serious. I’m good at telling bad puns and listening to you talk about your day and wanting to help. But I’m not good at explicitly telling the people in my life how much I care about them.
1. “I’ve got this Vine/YouTube clip/video/picture/gif to show you."
That owl saying “drugs?” or the guy skiing going “I’M A GIRAFFE” or the twerking baseball player or LOOK IT’S A CAT IN A MUG. I’m saying I find this absurdly funny and I want you to find it funny, too. I want to see the people I love happy; I want to see them laugh. Even if we’re playing the same seven seconds over and over again, I will wear a smile for the rest of the day and I hope you will, too.
2. “I made cookies, do you want some?"
Food will always be one of my first loves. I love eating food, cooking, and baking. There is something about the sharing of food that brings people together. You become warm, full, and content with the company you keep. Or if you make something yourself, you share it with another person. Food brings people together, and love is the ingredient that, well, takes the cake.
3. Hand-holding.
Not all of us are physically affectionate; some of us like our personal space and don’t like to be touched. Some people kiss, others hug, there are fist-bumps and arm-punches and high-fives and all kinds of ways to say “I love you.” But sometimes the little things say the most. In the words of the Beatles, “I Wanna Hold Your Hand” means a lot more than just sweaty palms and swinging arms.
4. Laying my head on your shoulder.
Rabbits do this thing where if they feel completely comfortable and safe, they will flop over onto their side. I’m like that. Putting my head on your shoulder tells you that I trust you not to move, that I can let down my guard, that I can lean on you. It means I’m physically relaxed around you and comfortable with our being close.
5. Whatever crazy idea you suggest, my answer will always be “yes!”
It’s much easier to be cautious, to stay at home and be around what’s comfortable, what’s easy. That way, you won’t lose anything, you won’t be hurt, you won’t feel awkward. It’s safe. If you invite me to be taken out of my comfort zone, I will always say yes if I’m with you. “Do you want to take a trip to a foreign country?” Yes! “Come with me, I have this cool idea.” Great! “Want to wake up at 5 am to stand on line for free theatre tickets?” Yes! “I’m in town and I want to do something.” Awesome! I will do crazy things for the people I love. Saying yes is my way of saying “I love you.”
6. Staying up past midnight just to talk.
After midnight, I get weird. I cry over inanimate objects, I get really personal or really philosophical. I also love my sleep, so I try not to stay up to late all the time. But if we’re talking for hours and hours, I’ll blink the sleep from my eyes and carry on, because I want to enjoy your company for just a little longer. I like you more that I like sleep.
