Only thing I ever could need; Only one good thing worth trying to be and it's love.

This is a little something my brother Bryan wrote and I enjoyed it. So here goes.

Many years ago my family started saying the words "I love you" a lot. I don't recall exactly when or why, or who started it. Maybe one of us took us all to Opposite Land, an imaginary place we invented that is entered when its name is invoked, and forgot to take us out, which is why we still use this phrase a lot.

It's rare for us to get off the phone with each other without saying those 3 words. Sometimes even if our conversation consisted of a bit of an argument, we end with the words "I love you." Because we do.

This habit is very healthy emotionally and helps relationships. But it also carries potential for danger.

If it becomes too easy to say, you'll find yourself saying it, out of habit, to people who might find it odd. Such as IRS employees who are auditing you, who never hear those words on their business phone calls.

I can't tell you how often I've almost said "Bye; love you!" at the end of phone conversations with coworkers or people I'm interviewing for news articles. If I have ever slipped up and said it, they either didn't hear or just took the compliment with gratitude without making fun of me. So as far as I know, I have always caught myself in time to force the use of a business-appropriate farewell, like "I hate you." But whenever a confession of love is on the tip of my tongue, I do have to work hard containing my laughter. Especially because it makes me reflect on times that this slip up has happened.

An uncle of mine (I can't remember which one) checked his answering machine one time and found a message from his boss. The bossman talked for a minute or two about a business matter. At the end of the message he said, "Well, I love you. Bye." The very next message was the boss calling again: "Hey, it's me again... I don't LOVE you..."

One of my favorite moments of Ratatouille was when Linguini expresses his love to the beautiful militant chef Colette. He says he would do anything she told him to because "I LOVE yoouuuu....r advice." It's great.

I have had friends - especially Brooke - who are comfy enough with the word that I could say it all the time. (Love you, Brooke!) But when I went away to college I quickly learned that other girls aren't so fond of those words. I didn't want to have to explain over and over again that saying "I love you" wasn't Bryanspeak for "I want to marry you next month and you'd better retreat if you don't feel the same," so I stopped saying it. Sad day, huh?

I think everyone who is scared to say "I love you" should learn to say it. Those who freak out over hearing it should get over it.

I totally agree with all of this! Luckily, I've been blessed with many friends here at school who are comfortable with those three special words. I think that to be loved is an enormous blessing, and the power to love is even more so. It is a wonderful opportunity--a chance to feel a portion of what Heavenly Father feels for each of us. So why not express it?

Chances are that if you're reading this, I love you. Seriously. I mean it. If you don't believe me, tell me to my face that you love me and I'll probably respond with, "Hey! Guess what? I love you too!" And there will be joy.

Thank you to all of you who love me (and show and tell me) every day. I hope that I have blessed your lives in a similar way. I love you!