Saying, "I Love You"

          As I was laying in bed wide awake last night, I thought, "When do I say I love you to anyone and when do I really mean it? What does it feel like when I do mean and how can I tell?" To be honest, it got me to worrying so much I was a wake for sometime. I know I have wrote about the different kinds of love in the past months and I'm starting to think that there are those different kinds. I never really thought about, though, how or when I say it and what I'm doing in that moment.  Here are just some types and moments where I do say, "I love you" and what I feel like if I can explain it.
           First, I say I love you to the children that I work with because they need to hear it from someone. There are moments there where I do love them more then others but I try to say it as often as I can especially if I feel a connection with them. To me, it is important that every child should know that they are loved no matter what. I try to tell them at the worst of times and at the best of times so they know no matter what I will always love them. If I do get a real connection with them I will know because I will say "I love you" before they leave and try not to cry while saying it.
           Second, I say "I love you" to my family. More to my nieces and nephews because they need to know that their aunt loves them. I tell them that when they leave and/or at bedtime. It is sort of a strange feeling because I'm not use to saying "I Love you" in my immediate family but the little kids need to know and it is just cute how they say it back. It makes an aunt feel special. I hesitate for some reason every now and again but I know they need to hear it so I say it. If that makes any sense at all.
            Third, I'll be honest I don't say "I love you" to anyone in my immediate family which is sad but at the same time I know they love me when they help me out with things or just because we get along so well. I know I will take that for granted one day so I need to get better at it but none of us share our feelings (aka talk about them) and maybe it is because I never really grew up around most of them. Sounds bad but being second to youngest it is true. I only got really close to my little brother and remember most of the things I did with him. The others were off in their teenage years and college years.
             Fourth, I sometimes wonder about the fourth kind of love and if I will ever be able to say "I love you" to my husband. Will I ever be able to say "I love you" to just one guy and get a certain feeling every time I say it? Will I know when to say it? I want to know what that feels like but then it is so hard to wrap my mind around. I want the experiences that come with saying that but at the same time it just makes me scared. It is a kind of commitment that I'm willing to make because I am that loyal type but when and how.
            Last but not least, God's unconditional Love for us. It is us saying "I love you because you first loved me". God showed us what real Love looks like and in a way we might feel different or think different things with these different people but we are doing the same thing as God did for us. He gave up something for us and that something was His Son, Jesus Christ. We give up time, money, energy, passions, and other things for human love but could we ever give up another human for more love. Could we ever make that sacrifice? Think about it the next time you say "I love you" to someone. I'm not comparing the two loves but it is a great reminder about how much God's Love is then any other of these loves.