Saying 'I Love You' is easy.

Everyday I realize more and more that saying 'I Love You' is one of the easiest things in the world. If you are lucky enough to have an amazing nephew in your life, the words 'I Love You' flow freely from your lips every second you are with the child. If you are blessed enough to have someone with whom to walk this life's journey, then it comes out of you and heals like a safe embrace. If you have a child, I'm sure it's the first and last thing you say everyday. I hope I can experience that one day.
I find it strange that some people make a big deal about saying 'I Love You.' When you're dating, it's always such a benchmark identifier and qualifier for the relationship. Who says it first? Don't say it back. How do you know when it's okay to say it?
With family, somehow it becomes too affectionate to say "I Love You' as one matures. As children we are showered with words of encouragement and affirmation, then as young adults we are supposed to grow and excel without words of kindness or support. It doesn't make sense to me.
I say "I Love You' to a lot of people,a lot of the time. I genuinely mean it. For me Love means respect, admiration and appreciation. It also means character, integrity and ingenuity. It means creativity, talent and generosity. It means that you do something so altruistic and humble that it stops me in my tracks and I am grateful for your existence.
Don't get me wrong - if I Like you, I'll say I really Like you - a lot. But if I say I Like You, it's usually because I have not had the pleasure of really knowing you yet. I believe in people. I believe in Christianity. I believe in a spiritual and human connectedness. I believe that everyone counts.
And although sometimes it's challenging, (sometimes VERY difficult!), I can honestly say I love everyday. I love someone everyday. And I tell them.
People need to know you love them. People need to hear you say that you love them when you do. Say it. I encourage it. I am a fan of it. I practice it.
I lost a dear friend today. And I am so grateful to God that I always said, "I Love You, Susan," every time we parted. And she said it back. And I know she really meant it. And I know she knew that I meant it, too.
Love people in your life. Mean it. Enjoy it. Share it. And say it. It's the easiest thing to do.