Saying “I love you” is great, but showing your love is even better. Check out these ways to show your partner just how much you care without saying a word.
Sometimes the words, “I love you” simply aren’t enough to convey just
how deeply your love goes. In a case like this, you can show your
special someone just how much they mean to you without ever saying a
word. Trust me when I say that actions do speak louder than words.
What you do always means more than what you say
Professing your never-ending love with a barrage of “I love yous” is
fine when you’re in high school and validating your love for one another
on an hourly basis is life or death. Adult relationships are more
intense, and validation more complicated, especially if you’re in it for
the long haul.
It’s very easy to fall into the habit of just saying, “I love you.”
But always doing so can lead to taking each other for granted. The
following is a list of suggestions *yes, some of them are on the mushy
side* you can use to show any special person in your life you love them
without uttering a sound.
#1 Prepare a meal. Everyone knows food always tastes
better when it’s prepared by someone you love. Furthermore, making a
meal or a snack for someone special shows that you care enough to take
the time to make sure they’re happy. Prepare an old family recipe, or
simply stack some meat and cheese on a sandwich, and don’t forget to add
the secret ingredient: LOVE. Your loved one will definitely appreciate
the gesture.
#2 Pamper makes perfect. If you notice that your
partner is tired or stressed after a hard day at work, or you know they
are going through a rough time, pamper them by running them a bath or
giving them a full-body massage. Light some candles and put on some soft
music to help them relax further and recharge. To really show you care,
do both. Climb in the tub with your partner and perform the massage.
The added closeness to you helps relieve their stress and conveys just
how much you care.
#3 Write a note. It doesn’t have to be anything long
or complicated, but leaving a note for your loved one lets them know
you’re thinking of them throughout the day. For example, before you head
out the door to start your day, write a quick note, even just a
sentence or two, and leave it on your partner’s pillow. When they go to
bed that night, they’ll know you were thinking of them that morning.
Alternately, if you travel, drop a post card in the mail with the
words, “Thinking of you” to let your lover know they’re on your mind
while you’re away. These tiny gestures score big points because writing
anything by hand takes time and effort that’s just not taken much these
days.
#4 Ask how they are, and seem genuinely interested in what they have to say.
If you know your significant other is worried about something, ask
about it. Take an active interest in what they have to say and show
genuine concern for their feelings. You may not have all the answers,
but simply asking and listening shows you truly care about how they
feel.
#5 Hang out with their friends. Even if you’d rather
poke your eyes out with a stick, make an effort to get to know your
lover’s friends. You don’t have to like them, but if you truly want to
show how much you love your partner, don’t show it. Talk, ask questions,
and try your best to get along with their crew. If you do, your love
will notice and will adore you all the more.
#6 Make time. You may be super busy, and your
partner may even understand your busy schedule. This doesn’t mean you
should put them off. Make time every day to call them and let them know
you’re thinking about them. Or, get up early and spend a half hour
together having coffee before heading out. On the weekends, when things
aren’t so crazy, plan a romantic picnic just for the two of you.
#7 Don’t forget the hugs and kisses. Nothing says “I
love you” better than giving someone hugs and kisses. The physical
warmth of touch, together with eye contact, conveys everything you need
to say without saying anything at all.
#8 It’s the little things that count. Make your
loved one’s life easier by doing little things. Take out the garbage
without being asked. Pick up a gallon of milk on your way home because
you’d noticed you’re almost out. Do something you know your partner
hates doing. When you make your partner’s life easier, they realize just
how much you care.
#9 Listen and learn. When you really listen to your
partner, you learn a lot of things. For example, you might be in a
grocery store when your lover tells you how much they used to love mint
chocolate chip ice cream as a child. This little tidbit gives you
something to surprise them with later. Show up with a pint of mint
chocolate chip ice cream when you know they’re feeling down, and not
only will they know you listen, but they’ll know you love them as well.
#10 Let them be who they are. No one gets into a
relationship to be changed. Everyone has their quirks and
idiosyncrasies, and that’s what’s so special about being with someone.
Rather than trying to make someone into the person you wish they were,
let them be who they are and take advantage of all they have to teach
you. Just because someone has a different outlook than you doesn’t mean
they don’t have plenty to offer. Let your partner be themselves—weird,
quirky, nerdy, and all—it’s the greatest show of love of them all.
When it comes to showing your love for someone, there are
thousands of ways to get your point across. More often than not, though,
just making the effort to go above and beyond a simple “I love you” is
all you have to do to let someone know you love them.
