by Vicki Brown

Created on: April 30, 2009

CAN YOU SAY I LOVE YOU TOO MUCH

My instant reaction to this was what a silly question. How could anyone think they could say I love you too much? My parents said it to each other and to my brother and me. They were also very affectionate.

I always end phone calls with my kids by saying I love you. I tell my dogs I love them. I say it to my best friends. No one ever protests and says not to tell them that.

I suppose there are people who don't say I love you easily so hearing it could make them uncomfortable. But maybe by hearing it they'll get used to it, maybe even like it. Maybe they'll try saying it.

The word "love" might be overused. We love our car, our house, chocolate, chocolate, chocolate, oops, sorry got stuck there for a minute. We love our computers, our cell phones, our laptop, our Ipod, our lawn, our neighborhood, our country, CNN, football, baseball, etc. You get the picture.

I think most people know when someone says, "I love you" to them it's more than loving the Dolphins or Sushi.

Love can be expressed in a variety of ways. My dad traveled a lot and my mom always left little notes in his clothes. I noticed recently that my brother leaves love notes for his wife around the house. Remembering someone's favorite color or flower or cologne and giving their loved one an appropriate gift for their birthday or anniversary.

On our 25th anniversary, 2,000 miles separated my husband and me. He sent yellow roses to me at work. I was impressed that he had remembered that yellow roses were our flower and had taken the hint about sending flowers to me at work. It's always nice to get flowers but it's even better when a lot of people see you get flowers.

As affectionate as my parents were, my in-laws were equally unaffectionate. My youngest brother-in-law dragged out an "I love you" from his mother on her deathbed. So, my husband was not in the habit of expressing his feelings or showing affection. The first time I told him I loved him he laughed. I was a tad confused by his reaction. When I asked him why he laughed, he said no one had ever said that to him before. I said that surely his mother said it to him. He said no she didn't.

He still has trouble saying I love you. If I say it, he says he loves me too. He was gone for four days recently and I was struck by all that he does on a daily basis. Small things but they truly make a difference to me. I have several chronic health problems and have had surgery three times in the last six months.

So, when I came downstairs

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