10 Small But Powerful Ways To Say ‘I Love You’
Showing your love for your special someone doesn’t have to be grand or extravagant. With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, we want to remind you of some simple actions you can take to show your lover that they mean the world to you. Here’s our 10 small but powerful ways to say ‘I Love You’ to your spouse. Use these tiny tips to foster a vibrant and exciting relationship in the midst of everyday life.
#1: Write a short but sweet note, letter, or text message of encouragement
Everyone loves getting romantic notes from their better halves. It shows that you have them on your mind and in your heart. During those monotonous weekdays where both of you are focused elsewhere, hide a lovely note of encouragement or text them a warm “hey, I just wanted to let you know…you rock my world!” (see more awesome texts) Getting that warm fuzzy feeling is just what your spouse needs on those days!
#2: Shower them with compliments!
Tell your lover just how sexy, funny, lovely, or inspirational he or she is. Often in our home, you’ll hear me say: “you look gorgeous today!” (to which Eunice will reply: “whatever…”) I also don’t want to ever walk past my wife without acknowledging her presence and expressing how she makes me feel. So don’t be shy or awkward about it.
#3: Set aside time every day to spend together
The default for most couples is to hop on their phones or flick on the TV after the kids are in bed and the dishes are done. INSTEAD, turn these distractions off and turn to face each other. I try my best to take the lead in this (somebody has to break the vicious cycle). Get into the habit of asking how each other is doing, what the highlights and lowlights of their day were, or if they experienced moments of defeat or triumph. The benefits are huge; you’ll learn more about each other and grow deeper in connection.
#4: Snuggle up to each other
It’s common for lovers to grow apart without even noticing. The emotional distance will also result in physical distance. Eunice will often times take my arm and put it around her or wiggle herself into my crevices. At first it’s annoying because I’ll be doing something important (like holding the popcorn bowl), but after 2 seconds I’m cooperating. Bridge the gap and squish closer together!
#5: Surprise them randomly with gifts or treats
Getting a small something out of the blue will put a cheer on anyone’s face – especially your dawlin’. It doesn’t have to be something big or fancy. For instance, I like to bring Eunice her favorite Pumpkin Spice Latte or Bubble-tea when I come home from work; or I’ll surprise her with a meaningful token like the mug below. Ask yourself what things your spouse is into and spoil her one odd day!
#6: Do the chores they hate
Sacrificial love is the truest form of love. You can show this everyday by taking the chores/errands that your baby dreads upon yourself. Cleaning bathrooms, cooking dinner, washing dishes, scrubbing poop stains and changing bunny litter are just a couple things that I relieve (joyfully…) from Eunice. You learn to love doing them because you know how much your spouse appreciates it. Besides, that washroom shines like a million bucks after I’m done with it!
#7: Take the kid away!
So I know we have this perception that moms have bottomless reservoirs of love and grace (curse you instagram!), but they really don’t. They are human too. Eunice is mostly running on fumes around 4pm in the afternoon on weekdays. On weekends she lets me have a turn at motherhood (she says I need to bond with the children). So show some love by taking the kid away and give mommy a bit of quiet.
#8: Give her a back or foot massage after a hard day.
One of Eunice’s love languages is physical touch, but let’s face it, who doesn’t like a good massage? If you want to say “I love you” on any given night, free your lover of whatever she is up to, get into bed early, put on some music or her favorite show, and give her a nice half hour message. *This also builds up your brownie points so you can ask for one back*
#9: Give hugs and kisses – everytime and everywhere
Your spouse is the closest friend and companion you have. She has access to you in ways nobody else does and vice versa. Show her that level of warmness and embrace when you interact. I love to give Eunice a kiss and tell her “I love you” when I leave for work in the morning – even when she’s asleep; I love to give her hugs and kisses when I return. Somedays I forget and she’ll know (spoiled!). Obviously a marriage is more than hugs and kisses, but it’s a small, but powerful way of showing that you love her.
#10: Take her someplace special
Plan a getaway for just you two. It can be 30 minutes long or 4 hours long. It can be somewhere fancy or a walk in the park or a small coffee shop. Check out our favorite dates to go on. Nothing helps create a better environment for connection than getting away from all the responsibilities and distractions at home. Eunice and I are hoping to do this more often, but she is still very attached to Rosie!
So there’s our 10 small but powerful ways to say ‘I Love You’! What are some of the ways you make your spouse feel loved? Let us know below!
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23 Comments
Lauren Sparks
Love this list. You have inspired me. Visiting you from Deb’s link up. laurensparks.net
George
Thanks Lauren! Hopefully your Valentine’s is filled with love from above!
Sarah Tevis
I love this post, especially since it is so close to Valentine’s Day! Thanks for the inspiration. #MMBH
George
Yes! We tried to give you some tips for the big day 🙂 Small things can mean a lot. Hope you had a good one!
Carlie
This was such a fun and inspiring read. Thanks for all the ‘keep-the love-alive’ tips.
George
hehe Thanks Carlie! My wife gave me inspiration (by naming all the things she wants me to do more..haha).
Kim Wetherall
Great advice & I think I will implement some of them today for the hubs!
Happy Valentine’s Day
George
Thanks!! Yes Kim! Do it! Which one you gonna try?
Ashley
I love this post! My husband is really good about saying he loves me and that I look great, etc. But I am not always great at telling him those things. So it’s nice to have a list of 10 to try!
George
Haha yes….us guys usually get the responsibility. It’s nice when the spouse tries (just a teensy bit) as well! Glad this list blessed you! Which one are you planning on doing?
Laura N Hinton
Yes! Number 4 and 6 are my personal favorites. A great list, thank you!
George
Hehe looks like your love language is physical touch! Thanks for dropping by Laura. Oh yeah, is #6 your favorite because your husband does them?! haha God bless 🙂
Hannah
I love these ideas! #3 is one of my favorites. We get so caught up in the busyness of life that we forget how important it is to just spend quality time with each other without all of the distractions. My husband and I love to go for walks with each other when the weather is nice. It gives us a chance to spend a little time together and talk about our day and truly brings us closer because we so look forward to that time together. #5 is awesome too. I love surprising my husband with cookies or new shirt I think he would like. He surprised me today by having flowers sent to my work for Valentine’s Day! It truly is the little things 🙂
George
Hi Hannah! Yes…I know a couple who has to spend 30 mins everyday together. Even though they might get home at 2AM some nights…they still sit on the couch and talk for at least 30 mins!!! Communication and connection are key in marriage. Walking is great, keep it up! Hope you guys had a good Valentines day 🙂 What else did you get up to?
Hannah
We are going to nice dinner tonight at one of our favorite restaurants! Hope you both found a little time to do something special as well 🙂
Teresa Dietrich
I loved 10 ways to say I love you! Very encouraging!
George
Thanks Teresa! Glad you dropped by and we made some impact in your life 🙂 See you soon!
Sofia
Great list! I’m a firm believer of whatever you water will grow. I know my husband loves hummus and pita chips, so I try to shop these randomly, or sometimes just fill the house with flowers, makes our home feels cozier and he feels more welcomed after a work trip!
Keep up the good work! and many blessings to you guys!
George
That’s a great analogy! Those are wonderful things you do for your husband 🙂 He’s a lucky guy! Sometimes I get too into relieving my wife with the chores, when all she wants is to spend time with me! Always learning…thanks for the encouragement and dropping by 🙂 What got you into blogging?
Nicole
These are great. Consistently communicating “I love you” is so important and it helps to have different and actionable ways to do so. I know my marriage is always better when we’re actively saying “I love you.” And there’s always bonus points for finding ways that specifically speak your spouse’s love language. 🙂 Love that your suggestions cover all 5 love languages!
George
Thanks so much for the encouragement Nichole! Yes the verbal “I love you” is important. Growing up, I didn’t hear that from my parents, but what you don’t learn from your parents, you pick up from TV right? What’s most important though is confirming it with your actions. Glad these little tips helped! What’s your hubby’s love language?
Juliie
Doing the chores I hate is one of my favorite done to me. That and the massage. And who doesn’t want a break from the kids?
George
Totally Juliie!!! Thanks for dropping by 😛