The Semantics of "I Love You."

What did you think I meant when I told you I love you? Did you think I was asking a question that needed a reply? Did you think that I was making a promise to you?

Why does saying "I love you" have to mean anything more than an expression of a feeling deep inside?
If I say I love you, I do not expect this means you will love me back.

If I say I love you, I am not promising you that I will never fail you.

I am not telling you that I want anything in return. I am not even
asking for your acceptance of that love.

Love comes in so many forms. A parent loves a child and a child loves a parent-this is a feeling of unconditional acceptance-a 'required' love, but it is often stronger than any other love one can
ever witness.

A pet can love it's owner and the owner love his pet.

One can love a new outfit or a new hairstyle-and not expect the outfit or hairstyle to love them in return.

A Christian can love God and God can love them-and God can love those who even are not Christians or don't believe in Him. Is this not the best example of a love this is completely divine and
unconditional?

Love can be an emotion.

Love can be an action.

One can be in love, feel love, show love, make-love. But in the end, it's just a word-a word that holds little meaning when said to often or too little. A word and nothing more-because it's the
actions that make the emotion real-not the words that are spoken.

So when I tell you that I love you, please don't feel you must reply. When you hear me say those words, try to keep the fear from showing in your eyes... I don't want you to say it back, unless
it's how you feel.

I don't want you to thank me for loving you. For I'm not asking you to love me.

Love is not a promise that you must keep-it comes with no obligations-you don't have to do anything.

It's just some words I say to you, expressing how I feel. It's not the words that really mean anything. It's the actions that will show the love is real.

So, let me say 'I love you,' because I say these words for me... and maybe some day you will understand how special the feelings behind those words can be.