When should you say ‘I love you’?
Three words that paralyze, solidify or make people flee relationships. But why does it have to be so awkward to say those words?
Is it about what it means, or what you interpret when your partner says them?
What is love?
You need to ask yourself what ‘I love you‘ means to you. Does it mean marriage, moving in together or just that you treasure the person you are with? Is it a warm fuzzy feeling like a blanket in Nairobi’s July rains or is it just something to punctuate an orgasm? The meaning of these three words varies so intensely from person to person.
Before you go blurting it out based on an ‘ideal’ time in your relationship, first ask yourself, what does ‘I love you’ mean to me?
Love is action
Being in love isn’t just something you ‘know’ – it is something you do. Love is action. You can say it; but does your beau experience it by the way you treat them, talk to them, think of them? Love is an action that comes incrementally. You can only love someone you know; spend time with, learn to understand – it’s not a glance in a corridor. That glance in the corridor that makes your heart skip a beat is infatuation, it helps you zero in on a potential mate.
Love is work
After infatuation, you get to the hard work of getting to know someone. Really get to know them – their strengths, weaknesses, convictions, pet peeves – you get the spiel.
Forget the movies; it is hard work.
As you build this connection, you are steadily growing toward that point of knowing and appreciating someone, flaws and all. This is love. Now that you finally know that you are in love, when do you say it?
When to say ‘it’
The reason why we feel pressured about the timing or the need to say ‘it’ is based on two things: fear of rejection and social constructs which put a time frame on when you need to say it.
Saying ‘I love you’ shouldn’t feel like you will miss the bus if you don’t say it.
It really is all about saying it when you are ready.
Now a quick disclaimer here: you need to communicate how you feel at any given time in your relationship. Some say it faster some slower you need to be patient and considerate of each other.
Related: Men say ‘I love you’ first
Just the two of is
Does it change the dynamic of your relationship? It may or may not. It really depends on the two of you and that’s what this is about.
What love means to you, how you build up from infatuation to love, and how you communicate your love really boils down to the both of you. No one can give you strict timelines: you decide for yourself when you need to hear it when you need to say it, and what it will mean for your relationship.
When did you say I love you? Share your stories below or on Facebook.
Tell us what you think
Recent Comments (16)
Very true
Very true
Thank you for the feedback…
Thank you for the feedback Augustine.
Interesting, I say these…
Interesting, I say these three little words very early in a relationship. Hasn’t worked out OK so far!
Hi Ted, you have to keep…
Hi Ted, you have to keep trying, hopefully you will meet someone who feels the same way and atleast appreciates the gesture.
I rarely do, however the…
I rarely do, however the guys say it almost immediately they meet you n get a smile or kind word.
I go like sheesh, where’s the genuineness,especially when I’ve got loads of bs yet to dish….
Hey Ema, thank you for…
Hey Ema, thank you for sharing. It boils downs to whether you feel it is the right time and what this will do for your relationship.
loving sumone is never an…
loving sumone is never an assurance that you should be loved back but let it grow in there heart
Hello Vincent,
Thank you…
Hello Vincent,
Thank you for your input. Love indeed can grow.
The words are much helpful
The words are much helpful
We are glad you found this…
We are glad you found this useful.
people now days have made…
people now days have made the word love useless or meaningless they utilize it even where it’s not necessarry for me i think you should say that word when you are meaning it but not to lure up your babe
Hi Godfrey, thank you for…
Hi Godfrey, thank you for your input. The word should also be accompanied with actions, no? It is true that some people use the word as part of emotional blackmail or violence. However, a lot of people say it when they mean it.
I have two boyfriends, the…
I have two boyfriends, the one I have met a month ago, says it and he asked me if I did, because I wasnt planning on saying it, but the t9is I felt it.
My other boyfriend has never said it, we are on a long distance relationship for two years now, but have never met, he’s super supportive of my needs, plans and dreams. We’re meeting soon, I broke up with the guy I just met, but I find it hard to spend a day without talking to him, I miss him. I do not know where love is for me, I like them both but have to sacrifice one. The one i said i love, do you think i will regret it?
Hi Diana,
This is totally…
Hi Diana,
This is totally up to you. Remember, not all men will say I love you but they may show you love through their actions. Not everyone is vocal (or obvious) about their feelings, and many of us often find it difficult to express those deeper emotions. Remember, the fact that that the other man said ‘I love you’ does not mean that he does. For some people, it is easy to say it even if they do not mean it. Also, consider that it could be that he really loves and cares for you. In the end, decide what you want for your love life and it will become easier to choose the right man for you. Read this article to learn more about saying I love you: When should you say ‘I love you’
Great advice but is it…
Great advice but is it normal not to feel the feeling of love toward someone who love you
Hi Eutychus,
It is totally…
Hi Eutychus,
It is totally normal not to have feelings towards someone who loves you. The best thing to do is to be honest about it to avoid raising their hopes. They may take it kindly but if not, it will free you from being stuck in a situation that doesn’t bring you joy!