10 Ways to Say “I Love You” for the First Time

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Creative ways to make your feelings known to your partner
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Ready to take the next step in your relationship? Saying "I love you" to your partner is thrilling, but it can also feel a little scary to put yourself out there like that. If you're ready to confess your love but aren't sure how to do it, this article is here to help. Read on for a complete list of fun, creative ways to tell your boo you love them!

1

Plan a special date.

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  1. Just pick a place where you have some privacy so the moment feels special. Plan a date that will make your partner feel comfortable and relaxed. [1]
    • If your partner likes low-key activities, skip the five-course meal in favor of burgers and milkshakes. Alternatively, prepare a picnic and tell them how you feel while eating lunch at the park.
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2

Call or video chat if they live out of town.

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  1. Text them asking if they would be available to talk on the phone. It's best to pick a time to talk so that your partner won't be busy when you call to share how you feel.
    • Text them something like, "I miss hearing your voice. Would you be free to talk on the phone this evening?"
    • Set up a video chat date, like eating dinner together in your respective homes. Then, say something like, "I'm so happy I get to see your face even if we can't be together right now. I love you." [2]
    • You can also tell them how you feel over voicemail for a romantic (and unexpected) gesture.
3

Write them a love letter.

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  1. A love letter is a great opportunity to plan your words and tell your partner what you really love about them. Think of a few key specifics and then write them out. [3]
    • Let's say your partner consistently calls you on their 15-minute break to say hi or always makes you laugh when you watch movies together. Those are the things to include in the letter.
    • Write something like, "I get so happy every time I hear your voice over the phone. I love you so much."
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4

Give them a gift with a handwritten note.

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  1. Your gift doesn't even have to be expensive or grand. Get a hardcover copy of their favorite book and write an inscription inside that tells them how you feel. Buy a bouquet of flowers and attach a card that says "I love you." Tailor your gift to your partner's unique interests to make them feel especially cared for and loved.
    • If your partner lives out of town, surprise them with the gift and message in the mail.
5

Recite or read them a love poem.

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  1. Try finding a short love poem or an excerpt that communicates how you feel. To find the perfect poem, look online or parse through some poetry books at your local bookstore or library. Then, read it aloud or recite it to your partner when the two of you are alone.
    • If your partner has a favorite poet, consider using a romantic poem they wrote to express your feelings.
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6

Make them a cute playlist of love songs.

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  1. Pick 10-15 romantic songs that express your love and add them to a playlist. You might try giving your mix a cute title, too, like "Love Songs for Jen" or "Music for My Love." Your partner will probably be super flattered to receive such a thoughtful collection of songs, and it'll show them just how much you adore them.
    • If you're having trouble picking love songs, add a few tracks that have sentimental value in your relationship. You might try a song that was playing on your first date or a track by your partner's all-time favorite artist.
7

Write "I love you" in the air with a sparkler.

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  1. If you're celebrating a holiday together or spending time outside, get out a pack of sparklers and write your message in the air. It's a cinematic and memorable way to express your love, and your partner will probably adore you for it.
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8

Draw "I love you" in the steam of the bathroom mirror.

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  1. If your partner (or you) just got out of the shower, take advantage of the condensation on the bathroom mirror. Write out your message with your finger and get your partner's attention before it fades.
9

Say it spontaneously if the timing feels right.

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  1. If you feel moved to confess your feelings in the moment and you've thought it through beforehand, go for it. Just make sure you're alone so the moment will feel special and there won't be any distractions. [4]
    • Say something like, "I'm so lucky to have you in my life. I love you."
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10

Say it without expecting an answer.

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  1. Part of saying "I love you" is feeling vulnerable and expressing your feelings genuinely. If you tell them and they don't respond immediately by saying "I love you, too," that doesn't mean your relationship is doomed. Be patient and give them some time. [5]
    • Different people go through relationships at different paces. It's possible they're just not ready yet.
    • Regardless of how they respond, remember that it's never a mistake to share that you care about someone. [6]

Join the Discussion...

When to say I love you in a relationship
WikiGopherWhisperer863
WikiGopherWhisperer863
My gf and I have been dating for almost 2 months. I knew I loved her after about a week but obviously I did not say that to her then. I am thinking of telling her on our 2 month anniversary, which is next week, but I'm not sure if this is a long enough time to wait to say it. My friend says I need to wait 6 months but that feels long to me especially when I am bursting to tell her now. What do you all think? Is there a "right" time?
Chloe Carmichael, PhD
Licensed Clinical Psychologist
There’s no universal "right" time to say "I love you," but timing does matter. In my book, Dr. Chloe's 10 Commandments of Dating, I talk about the importance of balancing emotions with a thoughtful approach to relationships. Love isn’t just about feelings; it is also about knowing the person deeply enough to understand who they truly are, not just how they make you feel. Two months can be enough for some couples, but before saying it, ask yourself if you love her for who she is or for how she makes you feel. If you are confident that your feelings are grounded in truly knowing her, you can express them. It is also okay to pace yourself since love is not just about intensity but also about longevity and shared experiences.
Renee Slansky
Dating Coach
I think there is an ideal time - and that ideal time depends on the circumstances. It is when you feel that you are ready for what the answer is going to be . Just because you're ready to say “I love you” to someone doesn't mean that they're ready to receive it.

An ideal time is not when you're necessarily on the height of negative emotion. Negative emotion is you've just had a big fight, and you want to be like, “But I love you.” That's when it's all dramatic, as opposed to high emotion when you maybe had an amazing dinner or amazing day together, and then you're ready to say I love you because there is a sense of intimacy between you (not necessarily talking about physical intimacy). There is a sense of connection between you, and you feel that it is reciprocated. That is a more ideal time to say “I love you” because it puts you both in a safe place .

Again, whether they say it back or not will be dependent on whether or not they are somebody capable of giving the love that you need or someone that may not feel what you feel. Just because you feel it doesn't mean that they do.
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      Tips

      • It's best to wait until you really understand your feelings. This moment is different for everybody. Try spending time with your partner, checking how often you think of them, and being aware of how you feel when you're apart. [7]
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      • It's a good idea to wait until you think they may love you back. [8] Pay attention to clear signs, like always laughing with you about inside jokes or opening up to you about their feelings. [9]
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      • If you want to get a feel for whether you're on the same page, have a conversation where you make it clear that you only want to date them exclusively, if you haven't already. [10]
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      References

      1. ↑ https://www.betterhelp.com/advice/love/confessing-your-feelings-how-to-tell-a-girl-you-love-her/
      2. ↑ https://www.thecut.com/article/virtual-date-ideas.html
      3. ↑ https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/life/relationships/a34990117/how-to-write-a-love-letter/
      4. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201412/when-should-you-say-i-love-you
      5. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201412/when-should-you-say-i-love-you
      6. ↑ https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jul/10/crush-feel-relevant-information-compliment-fancying
      7. ↑ https://youtu.be/NS4fpagwyPA?t=65
      8. ↑ Connell Barrett. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 24 September 2019.
      9. ↑ https://youtu.be/00ApFmyX6-k?t=110
      1. ↑ Connell Barrett. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 24 September 2019.
      2. ↑ https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/in-the-name-love/201412/when-should-you-say-i-love-you

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