M: One of the best things you can do for yourself and the people in your life is just to tell them that you love them. It's easy to assume that our loved ones know they are loved, but why let them assume? "I love you" is something you can never hear too much, and sometimes we don't hear it enough.
L: I totally agree. I come from a very open family and an expressive make-shift extended family (my mom's best friends and all of their children). We weren't even really related and yet we treated each other like siblings. We hugged and held hands and told each other "I love you" all the time. And that sounds really weird written out but I don't care, it was totally normal for us. I never felt like there was no one I could turn to because we all expressed our feelings about each other.
M: I always felt like my roommates in college were a second family because we were always telling each other we loved each other. In my own family we never said it much growing up, but somehow while I was away at school my siblings started saying it all the time, and I still haven't gotten used to it. Every time one of them says "I love you" before we hang up the phone or go home, it's a pleasant little surprise. I know they love me and I don't HAVE to be told that, but it is so nice to hear it anyway.
L: I felt that way too once I met Jamie and moved into the Glenwood. Before that, I only had a few friends that I met when I moved to Utah that I felt that comfortable with. It was a major shock to me to not have that open relationship with roommates and friends...and it made me incredibly homesick. I still remember someone commenting how strange it was that I ended phone calls with friends with "I love you." It seemed so natural to me. Now that my family and the friends we grew up with are having families of their own, I can really see the effect that kind of expression has on everyone.
M: I also think an environment like that is a really great one to raise kids in, because they learn to express their feelings and not hold them in all the time. Nothing drives us women crazy like men who won't open up emotionally, right? And it's not just men who need to be able to do that. It's just an important thing for people to learn to express their emotions and not be ashamed of them. It can really hinder relationships if you aren't able to do that.
L: Exactly. Although, being around my nephews all the time, I appreciate it so much more when they volunteer an "I love you" or a kiss or a cuddle because it's so unexpected for a three year old boy to just stop what he is doing to tell you he loves you. It makes me proud of myself and my family for teaching him that just through example.
P.S. Are we the only ones who walk around singing this song? Because I definitely sing it a lot.
1 comment:
I really like the conversation style- it brings a lot to the blog. I've found sometimes it's easier to text, write or email 'I love you' to start out with in working your way up to saying it to the person. People always like little love notes they can hold onto for hard times.
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