Exploring the Depths of ‘I Love You’
On a 2500km drive
I recently found myself on an unexpected journey—literally and metaphorically. To be more precise, I was on a road trip, covering 2500 kilometres over four days. This wasn’t just any road trip; it followed a whirlwind 24-hour romance that left my heart spinning as much as the wheels of my car. With miles of road stretched out before me, I decided to listen to an audiobook. Little did I know this would add to my self-reflective drive even more.
The audiobook delved into the complexities of love, particularly focusing on those three little words: “I love you.” We often underestimate the weight these words carry, attaching our unique meanings to them. For some, “I love you” might be a declaration of lifelong commitment, an invitation to share a future together. For others, it might simply be an expression of affection at the moment or a way of saying, “I enjoy being with you right now.”
As I drove down the east coast of Australia, dodging the occasional animal and trying to find healthy food, I realised how those words can be a source of both joy and stress. We burden ourselves with conveying the perfect sentiment, hoping the receiver will understand exactly what we mean. Here’s the catch: the meaning we attach to those words isn’t always the meaning they hear. Each person’s experiences and emotions…
