7 More Ways to Say I Love You

7 More Ways to Say I Love You

What words do you like to hear?

We all love hearing, “I love you.”

But sometimes we need to hear it said another way. To make it more real. To make it more genuine. To make it more personal.

And we need to say it in other ways to the people we love.

I’m leaving for the beach in a few days with my 4 Corners friends. Jeff is excited for me. He wants me to go.

And of course I’m looking forward to it, too.

But there’s something I need to say about it to Jeff.

“You’re still my favorite beach partner.”

It’s a different way of saying, “I love you.”

It’s one of 7 things on this list by Leigh Newman of ways to verbalize our love.

#1 “I’d rather be spending time with you.”

While we may not use these exact words, we can rephrase them into our own words to those we are in relationship with, whether a partner or co-worker or friend.

7 Things Your Partner Wants to Hear Every Day

See how many of these you’ve said this week, or have heard said to you, from Leigh Newman’s list. (Make variations to match your circumstances.)

  1. “I’d rather be spending time with you.”
    Even when you have other things to do, tell your loved one they are still first in your heart.
  1. “The best thing about how you play Monopoly is that you let the kids win.”
    Give roundabout affirmations to help erase your partner’s insecurities.
  1. “I was hoping that’d be you.”
    Instead of being irritated when your friend calls, let them know you’re glad to hear from them.
  1. “What’s your rose, honey?”
    Use Michelle Obama’s dinnertime ritual to ask your kids to describe their rose of the day (happiest moment) and thorn (most upsetting).
  1. “Let me help you find that guitar pick.”
    Even if you don’t find it, let your partner know you’re helping look for what they’ve lost.
  1. “Plain Crest toothpaste in a tube!”
    Text each other little pleasures in your day that you know you share.
  1. “I sleep so much better with you.”
    Even though a night without snoring may sound pleasant, let your hubby know you still prefer having them beside you all night.

[Read the article for full explanations.]

We all long to feel special to the ones closest to us. And to express likewise to them.

Being more specific with our gratitude makes a difference.

Sometimes it’s hard to believe the big message of love if it’s not backed up with daily little doses of love. Concrete examples about why we love someone are always welcomed.

You never know which one of these statements of detailed love may be the very thing someone needs to hear today.

When I call Jeff this week from the beach, some of the things I hope to say are, “I’m so happy to hear your voice!” (#3) and “I’d be sleeping so much better if you were beside me” (#7).

Sappy words? Maybe.

But appreciated words? Definitely. 

* * *

Which statement would you most like to hear? Which are your most likely to say? Please share in the comments.

22 thoughts on “7 More Ways to Say I Love You

  1. Bill (cycleguy)

    Some of these have become very important to Jo & me since my latest bike wreck. #1 & #7 are so true for us right now. After not being able to lay down in bed for 7 weeks i was just getting to that point again when I had the second wreck. Now I’m back to being in bed but sitting up while trying to sleep. Doesn’t work very well for me but at least I’m there.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      My heart still hurts for you after your latest wreck, Bill. 🙁 I’m sure that Jo will be equally as glad as you when you can sleep normally again beside her. Hang in there!

  2. Andrew Budek-Schmeisser

    This is a lovely post, Lisa. I hope you have a wonderful time at the beach!

    Another way of saying “I love you” is to say, “OK, thanks,” when your spouse takes a duty off your hands.

    This morning I was clearly far too unwell to open the gate for Barbara as she left for work; I hate to miss that, because it’s a few more minutes spent with her, driving down to the edge of the property.

    But she saw how badly I was doing and feared I would collapse on the walk back to the house, and the best love I could express was foregoing that privilege, and waving from the porch, to ease her mind, just a bit.

    http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2017/03/your-dying-spouse-286-songs-for-my.html

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      What an excellent example, Andrew. Easing someone’s mind by NOT insisting on doing something is sometimes just as sweet a gift as proactively doing something, if not even better. Praying for your comfort today.

  3. June

    Nothing sappy here, friend! These are all great examples, Lisa. And as long as they are backed up with action they’ll ring true every time! Have a FABULOUS TIME at the beach!!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Agreed, and I hope it goes without saying, that we have to genuinely mean the words, too. 🙂 Saying the words if not from the heart can make things even worse. Thanks for the beach well-wishes! I’m looking forward to the time with girlfriends.

  4. Barbara H.

    I have to admit that verbal affirmation isn’t my forte. I didn’t grow up with it, and even now, when I receive it, I tend to blink a couple of times like, “Oh wow, what a nice thing they said to me!” I often just don’t think to say it. It came a little more naturally with my children, and I especially try to thank my husband for things he does, large and small, but I need to intentionally let him know that he is special to me.

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      I think it likely does make a difference if we heard affirmations growing up or not. My parents weren’t lavish with words of praise, but they gave them enough that I knew how good they felt. Yes, I wonder why it comes more naturally to say those words to our children than to our spouses….

  5. Trudy

    Nothing sappy here, Lisa. Every marriage needs this. So true that “Being more specific with our gratitude makes a difference.” Such great things for us to remember here! Thank you. Have a great time with your friends! Love and hugs!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Thank you, Trudy! Those specifics can make all the difference at times. Now and again when my husband tells me I’m a good wife, I have to ask him why he thinks that. 🙂

  6. Betsy de Cruz

    What great ideas here. I especially love the one about looking for the guitar pick. Because don’t we all get a little irritated when someone lost something and is asking if we know where it is? 🙂 I’m going to remember this. I love the creativity of looking for different ways to say, “I love you.”

    Also like asking for the highlight and lowlight of someone’s day. 🙂

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Yes, it’s always frustrating to have lost something, and then to have to answer this: “Where did you last see it?” ha. I’m sure I’ve done the same thing to other people though, so I can’t complain. 🙂

  7. Mary Geisen

    What sweet ways to affirm love. Sometimes we think that an “I love you” is all that is needed when in reality it is something as simple as let me help you look for… Have a great time at the beach!

    1. LisaNotes Post author

      Agree; sometimes it’s that little something personal that makes us feel seen and appreciated. Looking forward to the beach tomorrow; hopefully the weather will be warm and dry! 🙂 Thanks, Mary.

  8. Lesley

    I like the idea of finding different ways to let people know we love them and these are great suggestions. It does make a big difference when we are more specific about our gratitude.

  9. BettieG

    Lisa, these are great suggestions! No matter how long we have been in a relationship, it’s always good to look for ways to stay appreciative. I am finding that even though I can’t do certain things for my husband that I used to, there are different things that I can do now to show him my appreciation and love. Thanks for bringing these good reminders here today! Have a wonderful and relaxing trip to the beach!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *