36 Ways to Show You Care Deeply (Even Before Saying ‘I Love You’)…CHECK BELOW
New relationships are filled with powerful and pleasurable emotions. Every glance, smile, and touch brims with new energy and infatuation. However, in those early days, it’s easy to feel anxious about when to say “I love you” if you’re not personally ready. While there is no definitive right or wrong time to say those three words (it depends on what feels right for you), it’s common to wonder how and when to express your feelings. If you’re not ready for the “L-word,” having a few go-to phrases can help you convey your affection without saying “I love you” prematurely.
As relationship expert Trina Leckie, host of the Breakup BOOST Podcast, advises, trusting your instincts is key. “Don’t overthink it,” Leckie says. “If you feel like you want to scream it from the rooftops, that’s a good indication it’s the right time because it shows how excited you are to tell that person how you feel.”
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Dr. Gary Brown, a couple’s therapist in Los Angeles, echoes this sentiment, emphasizing that the right time isn’t about milestones but about what your heart and mind are telling you. “The key milestone is when you genuinely realize you love the other person,” Dr. Brown explains.
If you’re not quite there yet but still want to express your deep care, there are plenty of ways to convey your feelings without saying anything too loaded. These phrases are also useful even after you’ve said “I love you” to keep expressing your love creatively. Here are some alternatives to saying “I love you”:
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- “You mean more to me every single day.”
- “To me, you are perfect.” — Love Actually
- “I really care so much about you.”
- “It would be a privilege to have my heart broken by you.” — The Fault In Our Stars
- “I really love how you [insert character trait or action].”
- “I never get tired of looking at you.”
- “Is it too late to tell you that everything means nothing if I can’t have you?” — Shawn Mendes, “If I Can’t Have You”
- “There is no one I would rather be with right now than you.”
- “I love your body.”
- “Nothing makes me happier than when you’re happy.”
- “You complete me.” — Jerry Maguire
- “Can I go where you go? Can we always be this close?” — Taylor Swift, “Lover”
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Tell Them How Being With Them Makes You Feel 13. “I can’t get enough of you.” 14. “I am so glad I met you.” 15. “I love spending time with you.” 16. “You are really special to me.” 17. “You make me so happy.” 18. “I’m scared of walking out of this room and never feeling the rest of my whole life the way I feel when I’m with you.” — Dirty Dancing 19. “My life is so much better with you in it.” 20. “Being with you just feels right to me.” 21. “I’d walk through fire for you. Just let me adore you.” — Harry Styles, “Adore You” 22. “No one makes me feel the way you do.” 23. “I feel the most like myself when we are together.” 24. “Even electricity can’t compare to what I feel when I’m with you.” — Dua Lipa, “Electricity”
Say Something Sweet, Light, and Breezy 25. “I feel so lucky to have you in my life.” 26. “You are my person.” 27. “I know.” — The Empire Strikes Back 28. “You know I like you a lot, right?” 29. “You are the bee’s knees and the cat’s pajamas.” 30. “I prefer you to pizza. Yeah… I said it.” 31. “Maybe it is our imperfections which make us so perfect for one another.” — Emma 32. “If you were a booger, I would pick you.” 33. “I feel so safe with you.” 34. “You’re my number one.” 35. “I’m so happy I get to be alive at the same time as you.” 36. “If you’re a bird, I’m a bird.” — The Notebook
