A friend once asked me what I meant when I said "I love you". After some thought, I realized that for me "I love you" means I'm experiencing a moment of profound gratitude and appreciation for someone, for who they are as a spirit and for who they are as a person in a body.

When I feel it, this type of deep appreciation radiates from my heart. I don't know what else to call it other than love. I don't know what else love would be, but I can see how this expression may be confusing, because I don't think other people mean the same thing I mean.

For me, "I love you" is not an invitation or a promise. It's just the truth of how I feel, and when I'm feeling it, it's very hard not to say it. And, why would I want to not say it anyway? What could be more validating than being seen as a whole person, body and spirit, for all your strengths and all your idiosyncrasies, and to be completely appreciated and honored for who you are. I can't think of a better definition of love.