I grew up in a family where we said, “I love you,” often.  No matter if we spoke on the phone ten times a day, we always ended every phone call this way.

Parting ways for a short while?   Yep, a hug and the words “I love you” were necessary.

I have carried this over to my own little family now, and I make sure to tell my family this often.

They are only three small little words, but oh the meaning behind them!

It has always been important to me to say those words, but it goes further than that.  I hope that those in my presence feel my love for them; in the things I do, the way I carry myself around them, and in how I care for them.  That, to me, is one of the most important things in life is to make sure your loved ones know without  shadow of a doubt how important they are to you and how much they mean to you!

We never know what will happen in the seconds after our loved ones close the door and begin to walk away from the car or the house.  Will it be a regular, normal day when they will return home at the same appointed hour they usually do?  We hope so!  But then working in the line of business that I do, we see tragedy strike at any moment.  No one is immune to it.  Our loved ones could be snatched right from our lives so fast, and nothing will ever be the same again.  That is why I stress to EVERY one around me to be certain you speak those words straight from your heart and show your loved ones how you feel!

Don’t reserve those words or your actions for a special occasion.  Every day we wake up in the morning, open our eyes, and breathe in … that’s when you should begin your day by striving to ensure your loved ones know how you feel about them.

Friends that say, “I love you,” before they hang up are also so very important.  This isn’t just reserved for family members.  Oh no.  I have a friend in Arizona that ALWAYS makes sure to tell me, as well as a friend in California that will say it each and every time as well.   These two ladies are so dear to my heart, and I smile each time they say it.  We are always so happy to hear from the other, so our conversations begin with joy, yes … and then they end with joy in our hearts as well when those words are spoken.

My daughters, no matter how old they get, will be told repeatedly how much they mean to me … whether it’s “cool” for their friends, coworkers, or strangers passing by to hear or not.  (Flash back to my teenagers seeming mortified in front of others, but I didn’t seem to mind.  I did it anyway!)

“I love you.”

Three powerful words that have the ability to improve someone’s mood immediately, have a smile plastered on the recipient’s face, create butterflies stirring in their very soul, and/or at times may send tingles down to their toes.

Speak those words often, but make sure to show it as well!