by Michaela Goebel

Created on: January 16, 2009

Is it possible for an individual to say the phrase "I love you" too often? Beyond a simple yes or no answer, the responses to this question are as varied as is the population of the world, with each individual person giving a different reason for their answer. This objective of this article is to explore three possible situations where it is more than possible to say "I love you" too much.

"I love you" as a way to control. She lies there, motionless on her left side, curled into a fetal position on the cold tile of the kitchen floor, trying desperately to control the sobs that shake her body, even though the blows have stopped for now. Her right eye is swollen and already turning black, it hurts to breathe, perhaps it is only a broken rib this time, and as she takes stock of her body, she is uncertain whether her leg will support her slight weight should she try to stand. "I love you," he says to her. "Oh Baby, I love you so much." The same empty and meaningless words, repeated so often over the years in an attempt to sooth her into compliance. The first time he used the words "I love you" in this way was too much.

"I love you" as a way to fill silence. A husband and wife sit in silence at the dinner table, each lost in their individual thoughts and reflections of the day. To break the silence, the wife says, "I love you" and the husband replies, "I love you too."
They continue eating their dinner, but no other conversation develops. If "I love you" is the only thing you can think to say to your partner, perhaps it is time to rethink the situation. So many people actively search for someone to say those three little words to. They hope, pray, and wish for the day when love will enter their lives, and so often forget the truth. Actions speak louder than words. When "I love you" comes out of your mouth more from habit than thought or feeling there is no meaning to the words and it is too frequent.

"I love you" as a way to get something from someone. The teenage boy looks soulfully into his girlfriend's eyes and without blinking and tells her that he loves her. It is his hope to convince her that it is ok to give into the physical urges brought on by hormones and more often than not, it is her greatest desire to believe that he really does love her. When "I love you" becomes the only used as a way to get what you want from someone, saying it one time is too often.

There are many situations where it is in fact possible, probable even, to say "I love you" too much and these are just a few examples.

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