THE POWER OF SAYING “I LOVE YOU”.

Hearing a partner say “I love you” for the first time is regarded as one of the highlights of a romantic relationship. However, people are often uncertain about when to declare their love, and whether to be the first to do so or to wait until the other has given an indication that they feel the same way. Is there a best time to reveal your heart? Does the timing make any difference, or all the difference?

WHEN SHOULD YOU SAY “I LOVE YOU”?

“You don’t have to have a ring on your finger to say, ‘I love you.'” — Omumbejja w’Emitima.

Romantic love expresses our genuine attitudes. Revealing our loving heart to a partner is immeasurably valuable for communication and personal flourishing. However, such self-disclosure makes you more vulnerable and may put your partner in an uncomfortable situation, especially if his or her attitude is different from yours. Consider, for example, this common (and conflicting) advice about when to tell your partner “I love you”:

**Go on at least five dates.

**Say it only after two months.

**Don’t wait too long.

**Wait until you’re absolutely bursting.

**Do not do it before, after, or during sex.

**Don’t say it when you’re very emotional and cannot think rationally.

**Don’t say it when you want to reward your partner for something.

**Never say it first, and don’t echo it back until you’ve spent some extended time together….I LOVE YOU IS MEANS ALOT.