by Suzi George

Created on: April 05, 2009

There is absolutely no way I love you can be said too much. I personally know many people that think you shouldn't have to say I love you at all, you should know. I disagree with that completely. Never assume someone loves you or that they know you love that rather assume they don't know.

Growing up, my mother never once told me she loved me and when she passed away when I was nine, I still wondered if she did. As a mother myself, on some level I know my mother loved me but it still would have been nice to hear. I wondered too what I had done to make her be so distant and uncaring. What I didn't know at the time was that she was mentally ill and incapable of expressing emotion. This discovery helped me move on in my life and understand that it wasn't that she didn't love me, she couldn't say it or express it because of her illness. Does that make it hurt less? Not really but it will have to do.

Children need those three little words to feel valued and loved. Adults need them for the very same reason although we won't admit it. I love you is not to be taken lightly either. It's not a phrase you throw out there because the moment fits. Saying I love you is as big as committing to marriage. That may sound harsh but it's true. Once someone earns your love, let them know as often as possible. You never know when or if you will talk to that person or see them ever again. I tell my children once or twice a day, sometimes more, that I love them. Love is a healing word but don't say it if you don't mean it. Don't say it because the other person is having a bad day and you feel sorry for them. Say it and mean it. Love is not to be taken lightly nor given just because. Love must be earned and saying it means that person has earned it.

Parents teach their children to say I love you by repeating to them. The first time your child holds your face, says I love you mommy and gives you a kiss is a memory that stays forever. The first time your true love says I love you is a memory that stays with you as well. While both of these memories are fantastic and welcomed, continuing to say it on a daily basis keeps that relationship solid and strong.

Many believe saying it gets old but think of how good you feel when someone tells you they love you, how your heart skips a beat and you involuntarily smile. Whether it's friendship love, child/parent love or a man/woman love, love is worth saying over and over. Saying it for no reason at all is the best way to hear it. My family has no idea what I write about and while writing this article, my daughter randomly said it to my husband and he said it back. Proof positive that saying it especially for no reason, makes everyone's day brighter.

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