How Do You Say I Love You?

It’s almost Valentine’s Day, and people everywhere are gearing up for the most romantic day of the year. One thing you’ll be hearing a lot this weekend and on Monday the 14th is “I love you.” Many people will be saying it, but there’s more to it than just speaking those three words. How do you say “I love you” in a way that really conveys your feelings?

Naturally, one way to say it is with flowers. A single red rose, a bouquet of a dozen roses, or even a huge arrangement of two dozen roses is a great way of telling someone how special they are to you. Red roses mean love, but you can always mix in some white roses or even give her pink or purple roses if that’s her favorite color.

A gift is another way of saying “I love you.” This can be something small for a new relationship—a stuffed animal or a box of chocolates is acceptable. If you’re married or in a long-term, serious relationship, you might want to think about jewelry. Rings aren’t usually given on Valentine’s Day unless it’s an engagement ring. Instead, go with a bracelet, necklace, or earrings. All three make for great gifts that tell her you truly love her.

These two suggestions—flowers and gifts—all involve giving something. But you don’t have to give something to show your special someone how much you love them. Cooking them dinner is one way of doing it. Another is putting a lot of planning into the evening. Go somewhere really special, such as the restaurant where you had your first date. Or do something extravagant, such as taking her to a bed and breakfast or going out of town. You can also do something really fun that also expresses your love, such as putting together a Valentine’s Day scavenger hunt.

No matter what you do or give, as long as it’s something special that has meaning between the two of you, it will convey how much you love your partner.