“I love you”
I have found myself saying it more often to my close male friends, family members, mentors, and old coaches.
This shift in saying “I love you” directly to them has only happened in the last 2 years or so.
Prior to that I would have rarely ever said it.
I most often said it to my Dad or my Grandfather or my Brother.
And every now and then I would say it to close friends or teammates – like when my high school basketball team lost in overtime to go to State, and we knew 10 years of basketball friendship was over.
But now, I just say it.
I say it because I mean it.
Prior to the last 2 years I would have shied away from saying it.
More than likely, I hesitated because I grew up in a society that didn’t often model that behavior between two men. And I personally rarely saw it happen.
I sometimes still say I love you and add “man” or “buddy” on the end or even change out the “you” for “ya!”
I don’t know why I do the word switch up – again, it must be because of the 'masculinity' norms around the time I grew up. Or maybe it is because I don’t want the other person to feel awkward.
But I am slowly shifting to just say “I love you” because that’s what I am truly saying.
I think it is time our society shifted where it is completely okay and natural to say “I love you” to a friend, and to a society where saying “I love you too” in response is perfect.
I have noticed that the men I have said it to have openly said it back, with genuineness in their hearts because they feel it too.
I have found that the people I have told it to are closer to me than before, and our friendships have become even deeper.
Men, it’s time to simply say “I love you.”
Week 10 of 52
Comments