10 Simple Ways to Say I Love You

By Ashley McIlwain

Life has a way of keeping us on the go. We feverishly check items off of our to do list only to find ourselves adding even more to the end of it. Our calendars are full, our lives chaotic, and our emotional and physical tanks down to fumes. Sadly it’s our marriage and family that suffer as a result.

While many of us, myself included, need to perhaps re-organize and re-prioritize so that we’re not going through this one precious life we’ve been given like a zombie, I’ve found that it’s still possible to express love amidst the whirlwind around us. Perhaps, if you’re like me, you tend to think that expressions of love need to be grand in order to be impactful. Knowing that, we put all of this pressure on planning something extraordinary that ultimately gets sidelined and lost in the barrage of other things demanding our attention.

Expressions of love don’t need to be grand; they just need to be sincere. Yes, there are times where big plans can and should be made, but in the day to day giving of love, less is more. Especially if it makes the difference between you actually conveying your love or not. When you think of it that way, it’s much easier to clear some space to make sure those who are most important are being tended to.

To help, I’ve come up with a list of 10 simple ways to say I love you.

1. Sticky Love Notes – This is a personal favorite of mine. Grab a sticky pad, and write a quick sentence or two to your spouse. Stick it in a place he/she will find like his wallet, her purse, the bathroom mirror, or the steering wheel of his/her car. This never gets old, and it’s so fun, simple, and free! Here are some cute love note examples:

• “I love you to the moon and back!”
• “You are such a hard worker, and I appreciate all that you do! Have a wonderful day!”
• “You’re always on my mind! Love you!”
• “You’re the most beautiful/handsome woman/man in the world! So thankful you’re mine!”
• “I love you more and more with each passing day!”
• “You are a constant reminder of God’s goodness! I am so blessed to love you!”

1. Helping Hand – Without being asked, do something for your spouse that he/she would normally have to do themselves. For example, if she always unloads the dishwasher, do it for her while she takes a load off. If he normally takes the trash out, you take it out for him instead. The possibilities with this are endless.
2. Take a Moment ­– Without notice, perhaps as you’re rushing to finish up some things before bed, grab your spouse and just hug him/her tightly. When you pull away, look him/her in the eyes, and say, “I love you more than you’ll ever know!”
3. Foot or Back Rub – Even if it’s just for 10 minutes, give your spouse’s feet, shoulders, and/or back a rub. This act of love can help your spouse to relax and maybe even sleep better.
4. Small Gift – Pick up something small from the store for your spouse that lets him/her know you were thinking of them. Perhaps it’s his favorite candy or her favorite flower. It doesn’t have to be big, but include a note with it that says, “I am always thinking of you!” Or, say that to him/her when you hand it over.
5. Impromptu Text or Email – Technology has a tendency to get in the way of our relationships at times, but it can also be used for something good too. During the day, send your sweetie an impromptu text or email just to let him/her know they were on your mind. If you need some ideas of what to say, refer back to #1.
6. Unplug – When you get home from work or when you’re together with your spouse and/or kids in the evening, put away your phone, turn off the TV, and unplug from any other gadget that might be lurking. These little devices, while helpful at times, can also be hurtful to your relationships. They have a tendency to lure our attention away from those who are there with us in person. That email, text, phone call, or TV show can wait. Your spouse and/or kids are the most important people, and it’s time to focus on them. Nothing says I love you quite like your undivided attention.
7. Light a Candle – Something that tends to go out the window as a marriage goes along is romance, but every marriage needs some romance now and then. When you head into the bedroom or as you cozy up on the couch, light a candle or two. Candles add instant romance, and it’s a sweet gesture that conveys your love and intentionality.
8. Say It – Hearing I love you never gets old! Sometimes we think, “I’ve said it so many times already, surely my spouse knows I love him/her.” Just because your spouse knows you love him/her, doesn’t mean they still don’t want and need to hear it. Every day, tell your spouse that you love him/her.
9. Plan a Date Night – Even when we get married, it’s nice to still feel pursued by our spouse. To know that our spouse still cares, still chooses us, and wants to make our marriage the best it can be. So, plan a simple date night even just to dinner and/or a movie. Ask your spouse if he/she will go out with you on a date, and tell him/her the plan. Get dressed up and enjoy a nice evening out just the two of you. Date nights are a great way to say I love you and to keep the friendship growing in your marriage. Never stop pursuing your spouse.

Sometimes the smallest gesture can have the greatest impact. Often times I feel most loved by my husband in those sweet, unassuming moments that he chooses me, to love me, to care. The truth is, your lifetime of love is made up of those understated, daily choices and moments that, at the time, seem insignificant. So, choose now, today, and every day after to, even if in the tiniest of ways, convey your love to your spouse. Love is a daily decision, and it’s a decision you’ll never regret.

Copyright © 2013, Foundation Restoration.  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. No reproduction allowed without written permission from Foundation Restoration and/or the author.