tell my family i love them

Once in awhile I say it. It’s easy to write it, but difficult to say it. Especially since neither side of my family says it. We show it and take it for granted, but we don’t say it!

but it seemed the right place to post this: I made my husband get an mp3 player. He hesitated a lot, but I finally convinced him and he is now really happy with his “toy”!

Growing up my family never expressed how we felt through speech, or even really hugged eachother or comforted eachother in that sense. I know my parents love me, and I have told my sister I love her in a letter I once wrote to her, but I can’t seem to get over the hurdle of telling my parents I love them. My mom recently started saying it and I actually feel uncomfortable because I don;t respond back and I do love her and I know she probabaly feels bad that she doesn’t hear it back. I think because If I were to say it back, the response I would get, I feel like a big deal would be made. I idealize my father and I know he knows I love him but we don;t express thigns like that to eachother – more of in actions. The things he does and how he treats me, I know he truely loves me. Cooking has always been his way of expressing his feelings to us – his way of showing he cares and wants to take care of the family and I. I constantly think about if something would happen to one or both my parents. If one of them were to pass away and I never got to say I Love You. I know they know.. but I think I would still feel bad that I never actually verbally expressed myself to the people that matter the most to me. (especially when I can tell other people that I love them)

My parents spent this last month here at home. As always, it was wonderful to have them here. It’s not peaceful, don’t get me wrong; we argue a lot, but we know we are family. I have never known a love bigger than theirs.
I told them how much I love them many times during this visit (they are getting older!). We also had an important conversation with my dad, which cleared the air on some important issues.
Even though I haven’t still written the letter I plan to write them, I’ll consider this goal done.

Now my son says “I love you” spontaneously. Not just as an answer, but whenever he feels like it, even on the phone. It’s so cute! And so good to hear it back…
I’ll considere this goal completed after I write that letter to my parents.

when does one consider this done? I’m telling my son I love him daily, and used every opportunity to tell my parents, too. I think I’ll wait until I write my parents that thank you letter, and them I’ll consider both done.

My family does not do this. If my mother tries to on occasion, it makes me very uncomfortable. We are not a lovey, huggy family. I cannot remember my father EVER telling me he loves me. I have no doubt he does, we just do not verbalize. When terrible things happen I always think I should tell them, but it’s too difficult to get past my own discomfort or what it would mean if I said it. I know they’d like to hear it but I feel like this is the person they created, so they have to deal with it.

Now I remember to tell my husband I love him almost everyday. We try to show that in many little ways, but I think it’s always nice to hear it, too.

For me, this one is connected to “raise a happy child” and “thank my parents”, on my list. I tell my son everyday that I love him. I call my parents almost every evening, just to say hi and keep in touch.
Now I must remember to tell my husband, too.