Too often, we take the phrase “I love you” for granted. We may say it flippantly as we leave a friend, spouse, or family member and rush off to our next activity. We may use it to fulfill our own agenda. We may even say it without realizing the importance of those three words. I am beginning to realize something that I consider very important about this phrase: I love you.

What I have realized this year is that I do not say it enough. I have not said it enough. I regret not saying it when I should have, which makes me want to say it now more than ever. Thankfully, I do not regret the times that I have said it. I have been able to tell both of my grandfathers that I loved them before they passed away. Recently, I have been able to tell those I care for how much I love them. However, there was a time when I put too much emphasis on the importance of the meaning behind “I love you” that I became legalistic in its usage. That is what I regret.

I do believe that you should mean what you say when telling someone that you love them. The phrase should not be used to further your own agenda, to get what you want from someone or to cause another person grief. It should be used to show how much you care, to show the depth of your affection for someone and to let someone know that they are in your thoughts. We should realize the importance of what we are saying when “I love you” departs our lips, but I also have begun to believe that we should say it as much as we can. I hope that I get the chance to make up for the lack of “I love yous” I have shared with those I most care about. One person in particular pops into my mind. My hope is that, one day, I will be able to express the depth of my love to that person again. I hope that it is not too late nor that I have lost my chance to do so. One day, I hope to make it right.

So, my suggestion for everyone else is to make sure you tell those you care about the most that you love them. Think about the importance of those words, look the person in the eye (if you can), say those words with all of your heart and maybe throw a smile in there too. It can’t hurt. Missing out on the opportunity can.