10 Ways I Love You

After a long day of running to the store, cooking, cleaning, and laughter - I could not think of any time better than now to write about the 10 Ways I Say I Love You. The blog was suggested by one of my friends, but I was not sure when I would actually use the idea. Clearly a holiday when you spend time with your loved ones is the best time to post about my wild style of loving family and friends. I put the finishing touches on this while grabbing a piece of my sisters wonderful lemon pound cake. But regardless here are my 10 ways to say I love you a suggested topic from one of my friends on Instagram.

1. The most important way to show someone you love them is to spend time with them when you can. This does not mean talking back and forth but literally sharing the comfort of one's presence. I cannot even count on my hands how many times I have just spent time with friends and left energized and ready to tackle the next thing in my day or days to come. It is something about feeling welcomed when being with someone I love. I do think that sitting there in nothing but quiet can be a little weird sometimes...but I think we all know when we want to talk and when we do not. Lol 

2. While I do enjoy some quiet times with the folk that I love - sometimes I just want to treat them to some of their favorite things. So that might mean I am telling you we are going to have a fun day together that involves them planning and me just going along with the plans. Now if you really know me then you are aware that some of the day together is going to be accompanied by my jokes and shade. I know some loved ones can deal with it...while others struggle. Even though they struggle I still love them with all of my shady ass heart. During that day it is meant to give the person something that allows them to be comfortable because you know some of your favorite things are not seen as “fun” or “cool” to everyone. 

3. One of my favorite ways to show someone I love them is to just call, text, or email them and just say that I love them. I try not to seem predictable and say it all of the time because I believe that hearing it randomly sometimes is awesome and fulfilling. Some people say so much that it becomes a thing of just being proper...but I find more joy in sharing my love out of the blue and that includes saying it when they are least expecting it from me! Sooooo if I don’t always say that I love you then don’t think that I don’t. I am just being reserved with my loved ones. 

4. The next way to show people that I love them is to just think about them. There are days that happen when folks that I love pop up in my head and I smile, most of the time wishing that they were present in that moment so we could hang out. While it may seem weird it is something that I enjoy...because I then look forward to telling them “hey, I thought about you” and then moving on to share with them some of my favorite stories of us being together. Like I said in the number one item - quality time is just such a needed thing and I cannot help but thrive off of the energy that comes from those interactions and experiences. But yes I consider it to be a loving thing when I can recall the many reasons as to why I love and care about you. 

5. After that I would probably say the best way for me to show love is by being there when I am needed. As I continue to get older that phrase begins to mean different things to me for many reasons. One since we are getting older that means we are becoming more responsible for things which means that we have tough decisions to make about how we support those that we love. Second, we learn that we only bring certain things to a relationship with other people and so it is the idea of learning about when you are actually needed. It is clear that relationships have some form of give and take so when we find a friend that can feel a need we try and connect in other areas as well. Which it is not a bad thing I do want to be clear about that - I am not saying that you go tit for tat in relationships, but there is definitely a form of give and take. So that means I try to make sure I can give as much to my friends as possible. I believe wholeheartedly that they care about me and love me, so why would I not attempt to do everything that I can for them when they need it most. Whether that support is financially, mentally, emotionally, or physically...there is an attempt to give them more of what they want and need in that moment. 

6. While everything that I have said is wonderful and all there is one thing that I think shows more love than anything. That action is “apologizing” like actually doing the easy work of apologizing to someone I love for what I did. I think people all too often focus on trying to accomplish building relationships in so many other areas that they forget about apologizing for hurting the people in their life that they love. This does not mean always doing things and then making the comment I am sorry...you have to do the work of being genuine and that means making sure that you work on your actions to not harm your loved ones again and really apologize if you. So just recognizing that everything cannot always just be shrugged off so that means paying attention.

7. Sometimes I wonder how people feel about me always talking about the people that I love...but in all honesty I kind of do not care. Because that is another way that I like to show my love for people, “bragging” about people that I care for is important. I think it is important to recognize the people in your life that you love. So if that means that I have to make an occasional Facebook post or talk someone's ear off then that means that I am going to do so, sorry not sorry. 

The last three are short but real! 

8. I like to share meaningful gifts with the folks that I love - and for me that means the gifts are big or small. Whatever the case maybe it is going to be something that they actually love or care deeply about. Gifts can be elaborate sometimes but does not have to be the case all of the time. 

9. I like for my loved ones to share their dreams with me - sometimes the dreams of others are the most intimate and vulnerable parts of their personalities, which means that it also needs a little support and a boost. I am not going to force them to share everything with me, but I am definitely an open ear for them when they need someone. 

10. Lastly, I like to actually turn off my phone when I am with them. I like to give the people that I love my undivided attention because of the true engagement that is shows. Sometimes having the day pass by without engaging in much else can be fun. I am sure everyone knows what is like to just have time without the disturbance of the outside world! 

Thanks for reading, I hope your holiday was fun with whoever you spent time with! 

Stay Fresh and Great you Awesome Humans!!!

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