5 ways to say I love you

February is called the love month as it includes Valentine’s Day. It the month to show your love and appreciation for the special someone in your life. Although I do not think that we need to only shower our heartfelt feelings on special occasions but since love is in the air this month, why not spread love and cheer?

It is a great feeling to be in love. Most of us fall in love, have a relationship and then get married. Slowly over time the gestures or actions of love get diminished as we get busy and buried in our life. I know that as we celebrated 18 years of marriage last summer! It is very important to put your conscious efforts in a relationship and be deliberate about maintaining it.

Relationships and love come in multiple facets. In addition to a couple relationship, there are bonds like mom and child, friends, colleagues, room mates, neighbors, cousins, community members, service volunteers and so many more. Every relationship can be made special with some efforts, time and love.

Saying I love you is beautiful but not everyone says that often. I believe that actions speak way louder than words, hence there are multiple other ways to show your love. In today’s post I write about 5 ways to say I love you and show your love without saying those words. So read on!

Background:

Most of the writing scenarios are from the point of way of a family couple, as I thought of myself while writing this post. I am a wife, mom, and an educator to name a few. We are a family of four- my husband, I and our two teenagers. I have realized that we should appreciate the love and bond we share with each other by communicating in different ways instead of just saying it.

Here are 5 ways to show your love and mean it without saying the words I love you-

1. Share or do a responsibility chore for your partner

As an example if your husband does lawn mowing or gas filling or fixing things at your house, lend a hand and do that chore for him without him asking. For wives it can be taking care of kids, grocery shopping or cleaning and giving a break.

2. Cook an elaborate meal for your significant other

This can be done for either gender and it is a lovely way to show your love and affection by making the other person feel special. This has happened multiple times at my place. My husband has cooked on various special occasions including my birthday, our anniversary, Mother’s Day and sometimes for no reason to give me a break from going into kitchen.

3. Respect and talk highly of your partner’s side of the family

Your in-laws are like a second family and showing your respect and appreciation to them earns you love from your partner. The same goes for your partner’s friends and colleagues. Showing you care about someone your significant other cares about deeply makes your bond stronger.

4. Show small gestures of love

You can show some gestures of your love without saying it. It can be as simple as smiling often or a hug or holding hands or cuddling together. It can also be writing simple notes for no reason, or a letter or a handmade greeting card for a special occasion. It can be giving flowers and having a candlelit dinner at home. Again this is something that we used to do a lot during courtship and in our early years of marriage. It has gotten lesser but this post is a reminder for me also to not lose these small gestures that may mean a lot especially in an older relationship.

5. Take out some time for each other regularly

In early days and years of being in love, you spend lot of time with each other and make efforts to be together. With time, this may get lesser and lesser as you get busy doing other commitments. This is a reminder for all of us to always take out the time. It can be as simple as a date night monthly or cuddling on couch watching TV or Friday movie night or playing a board game together or going out for walks. Every little thing counts and is an important ingredient for happy and healthy relationships.

For me working full time out of home and giving time to blogging has kept me quite busy the last year. Yes, the kids are teens and grown up and do not need so much of our time and attention, but we still have to put a conscious effort not to ever take things for granted.

Love quotes

Here are some love quotes to keep us all motivated to love and be loved!

The supreme happiness of life consists in the conviction that one is loved

Victor Hugo

There is only one happiness in this life, to love and be loved.

George Sand

Sometimes the heart sees what is invisible to the eye.

H. Jackson Brown Jr.

Love does not consist in gazing at each other, but in looking outward together in the same direction.

Antoine De-Saint Exupery

Love has nothing to do with what you are expecting to get–only with what you are expecting to give–which is everything

Katherine Hepburn

One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life; that word is love

Sophocles

Being someone’s first love may be great, but to be their last is beyond perfect

Unknown

In conclusion

Every relationship needs time and efforts. In addition to the above 5 simple ways to show your love without saying I love you, there are other small ways to show you care and value the relationship. Other important ingredients for a healthy relationships includes communication, respect, and being open to making mistakes while learning and growing together. With love and respect as your pillars learn to communicate, sort your differences, work as a team, and give each other time and space to grow and develop as a person.

Dear readers, we would love to hear from you. As the month of February embarks, give your tips on how you keep your relationship alive. Share how you mean I love you without saying the words! You may comment below or send an email to nishtha@dawnandhope.com.

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18 reflections after 18 years of marriage