When I Loveby William Ramos

When I love and my love would say to me “I love you” to me, I won’t say the predictable- almost perfunctory- response “I love you, too”. What I would say is, <BR><BR>“I know.” <BR><BR>In varying degrees of tone, manner, intensity and inflection. I believe saying “I know.” Gets more meaningful because it infers that “Yes, I realize how much you love. Yes, I appreciate that you do love me. I appreciate the sentiment, your sweetness and what this means to me.” <BR><BR>“I know.” <BR><BR>Wow! What a luxurious privilege. <BR><BR>When I say “I love you” naman to her, I won’t expect the “too” part as well. Y’see, it defeats the purpose of the core essence of love, which is selflessness. You say “I love you” out of the abundance of your heart. If you fondly say it to eke out a response from your beloved, it becomes an “I, me, mine” issue. Love is selfless. It does not expect to be paid back. Or wait for a reply. It thrives in giving, and giving itself away. That’s the reward in itself. <BR><BR>So when the one I love would tell me, <BR>“I love you, hon…” I’d say: <BR>“I know.” (chirpy tone) <BR>“I know.” (with wide-eyed surety) <BR>“I know.” (whispering, sleepily) <BR>“I know.” (suggestively, eyebrows and all) <BR>“I know.” (spoiled brattily) <BR>“I know.” (tired but appreciatively) <BR>“I know.” (with a smirk &amp; a wink) <BR>“I know.” (Like, Hah! I have you foever!) <BR>“I know!” (victoriously) <BR>“I know.” (thru tears, after or during a bad time) <BR>“I know.” (smug, complacent, so sure of nothing else) <BR>“I know.” (possessive and passionate) <BR>“I know.” (like a fervent prayer) <BR>“I know.” (like it’s F O R E V E R . . . )