It’s Valentine’s Day, a holiday that celebrates the people in our lives we love. There are lots of ways to show your loved ones how much you care. Whether it’s sending a card with a special message, giving them a box of chocolates, or taking them out to dinner at their favorite restaurant, you can make your relationship feel more romantic.
But there are some things that are more difficult to do than others, like saying “I love you” for the first time. Some people are nervous about putting their heart out there, fearing it might be hurt if the other person doesn’t love them back or wants more commitment than they do. It’s important to know how to read your partner’s cues and figure out when you are ready to say those three magic words.
The Golden Time to Say It
While there is no exact answer when it comes to the best time to say those magical words, most experts agree that you should wait until you are completely sure of your feelings. This could mean that you have spent a long time getting to know your partner, or maybe even met them for the first time. Some people grow up in households where feelings and declarations of love are discussed daily, and so it might be easier for them to open up about their emotions.
The first time you might say “I love you” may be after a big romantic event or during a very intimate moment, such as when you are lying in bed together or while you’re holding each other at the beach. It can also be a simple act that demonstrates your feelings, such as when you give them their favorite book with hearts drawn in the margins, or shout it to them across the soccer field after they score a goal. Alternatively, you might say it in front of family and friends, or after spending the day doing something they enjoy together.
You might find yourself thinking of them constantly throughout the day, or perhaps you can’t sleep because of your overwhelming feelings for them. You may wake up some mornings feeling more or less mushy-gushy, but you know that in time, your feelings will return to their normal level. This is what makes true love so amazing; it is always changing, growing and maturing, while at the same time mellowing and deepening.
Some people believe that love is a basic human emotion, similar to happiness or anger. However, other researchers point out that it might be more of a secondary emotion derived from other primary emotions. Regardless of how you define it, there is no doubt that love has powerful effects on our mental and physical health.
Some people struggle with love because they haven’t been raised in a household where the words are often spoken, and so it is more difficult for them to express their feelings. However, if you can recognize when you are in love, and take the appropriate steps to show your partner how you feel, you will likely build a strong, happy relationship.
