When you finally meet a decent guy and get into a solid relationship, your whole mindset changes — and as one half of a couple, the way you communicate inevitably changes, too. “I love you” is one of the most important things you ever say to your partner, but there are other words you can say that will mean even more.
- “I trust you.” No relationship can succeed without trust; it’s absolutely vital. Yet, people stay in relationships with partners they don’t trust every single day. When you tell your partner that you trust them, you’re really communicating that you could see yourself being with them forever and sharing your entire life. That’s deep, heavy, and real; don’t say it unless it’s true.
- “I accept you as you are.” One of the hardest things about searching for love is being accepted for exactly who you are, which is what makes this statement so powerful. So many people expect you to change in order to be good enough for them, and that’s BS. When you find someone who accepts you for who you really are, you’ve struck gold.
- “I believe in you.” Everyone has dreams they’re hoping to achieve, and finding someone who believes in you 100% is the most valuable thing ever. When you let your partner know that you believe they have what it takes to achieve their wildest dreams, it’s the most amazing affirmation you can possibly give them.
- “You turn me on.” Love is a big deal, but it’s not always bundled with complete sexual attraction. Unfortunately, a lot of people do settle for partners they aren’t fully attracted to. If you’re honestly turned on by your partner and able to admit it, they’ll be so glad to hear about it.
- “I have your back, no matter what.” Love is one thing, but complete devotion is different. If you have your partner’s back regardless of any circumstance that should arise, they’re extremely lucky. Go ahead and tell them how fortunate they are; they’ll be blown away.
- “I only want to be with you.” In a world where keeping your options open is glamorized, true commitment is hard to find. If you’re sure you’ve found the one you want to be with and you’re ready to close off your other options, tell them. If they feel the same way, you’re in luck.
- “I’m in love with you.” Being in love with someone is so much more than simply loving them. People break up all the time because they realize that there’s a big difference between feeling love and being in love. If you’re in love, you’ll be absolutely certain about it and you won’t be able to stop yourself from expressing it.
- “I want to start a family with you.” Everyone has a different definition of family. Yours may or may not include marriage, and there’s nothing wrong with foregoing the altar if you’re both in agreement about it. For that matter, your dream family may or may not include children. Whatever your ideal family is, letting your partner know that they’re the one you want to take that journey with is beautiful.
- “You’re the one I’ve been waiting for.” It’s a magical feeling when you’ve finally found the one who’s right for you; the metaphorical prince after years of kissing frogs. Let them know how valuable they are to you; with any luck, they’re feeling the same way about you and ready to celebrate your love forever.
