HOW DO I SAY I LOVE THEE?
My father knew how to say “I love you” in 15 languages…
and no, I do not! 
| ALBANIAN: | Te dua |
| ARABIC: | Ana behibak (female to male) |
| ARABIC: | Ana behibek (male to female) |
| ARMENIAN: | Yes kez si-rumem |
| CAMBODIAN: | Kh_nhaum soro_lahn nhee_ah |
| CATALAN: | T’estimo |
| CHEYENNE: | Ne mohotatse |
| CHINESE: | Wo ie ni |
| CREOL: | Mi aime jou |
| DUTCH: | Ik hou van je |
| ETHIOPIAN: | Afgreki’ |
| FRENCH: | Je t’aime |
| GAELIC: | Ta gra agam ort |
| GERMAN: | Ich liebe dich |
| GREEK: | S’ayapo |
| HAWAIIAN: | Aloha wau ia oi |
| HEBREW: | Ani ohev otah (male to female) |
| HEBREW: | Ani ohev et otha (female to male) |
| HOPI: | Nu’ umi unangwa’ta |
| HUNGARIAN: | Szeretlek |
| ITALIAN: | Ti amo |
| IRISH: | Taim i’ ngra leat |
| JAPANESE: | Kimi o ai shiteru |
| KOREAN: | Dangsinul saranghee yo |
| LATIN: | Te amo |
| LEBANESE: | Bahibak |
| LITHUANIAN: | Tave myliu |
| MOHAWK: | Konoronhkwa |
| MOROCCAN: | Kanbhik |
| NAVAHO: | Ayor anosh’ni |
| POLISH: | Kocham cie |
| PORTUGUESE: | Amo |
| RUSSIAN: | Ya tebya liubliu |
| SIOUX: | Techihhila |
| SPANISH: | Te quiero |
| SWEDISH: | Jag a” lskar dig |
| TURKISH: | Seni seviyorum |
| VIETNAMESE: | Anh ye^u em (male to female) |
| VIETNAMESE: | Em ye^u anh (female to male) |
| YIDDISH: | Ikh hob dikh lib |
OR, SAY IT WITH FLOWERS
| ASTER: | Talisman of love |
| BEGONIA: | A fanciful nature |
| CARNATION, red: | Admiration |
| CARNATION, white: | Pure and ardent love |
| CHRYSANTHEMUM, red: | I love you |
| CHRYSANTHEMUM, white: | Truth |
| DAFFODIL: | Regard |
| DAISY: | Innocence, gentleness |
| FORGET-ME-NOT: | True Love |
| GLOBE AMARANTH: | Unfading love |
| HIBISCUS: | Delicate beauty |
| JASMINE, white: | Amiability |
| JASMINE, yellow: | Modesty |
| LARKSPUR: | An open heart |
| PANSY: | Thoughtful recollection |
| PRIMROSE: | Young love |
| ROSE, pink: | Perfect happiness |
| ROSE, white: | Charm and innocence |
| ROSE, red: | Love and desire |
| ROSE, white and red: | Unity |
| ROSEBUD: | Beauty and youth |
| TUBEROSE: | Dangerous pleasure |
| TULIP: | You are the perfect lover |
| VERBENA: | May you get your wish |
| VIOLET: | Modesty and simplicity |
ROMANTIC MOVIES
Romeo and Juliet
The Titanic
Somewhere in Time
Pretty Woman
When Harry met Sally
Only You
Bed of Roses
Love Story
Pride and Prejudice
Always
ROMANTIC MUSIC
“You’re the Inspiration” – Chicago
“Falling Into You” – Celine Dion
“When You Love a Woman” – Journey
“Everything I Do, I Do it for You” – Bryan Adams
“Please Forgive Me” – Bryan Adams
“Woman” – John Lennon
“All For Love” – Rod Stewart, Sting, Bryan Adams
ROMANTIC GIFTS OF LOVE
a gift of love songs: Think about the music your love listens to. Put together a tape or CD of his/her favorite music, and then fix a romantic meal. Play your love’s new tape/CD as the background music for a very loving, very thoughtful, gift.
a painted portrait: Anyone can get a photo taken, but why not schedule a sitting with a local artist to paint your portrait together? Not only would this look wonderful as a focal point in your living room or bedroom, it will become a treasured heirloom to be handed down to future generations.
a gift from home: Does your love ever think about his/her hometown? Check online for gifts specific to the place your love grew up. How about a figurine from a local sculptor? or, a t-shirt from his/her old alma mater?
in with the old: Does your love have a favorite painting or picture with a worn frame? How about an old dresser stuck in a corner that he/she cannot bear to get rid of? An old photo album? Try restoring or refinishing the item. Take the time to find out what it is about the item that makes it so special…and let your imagination take off from there.
a lover’s scrapbook: Even if you’re not into “scrapbooking”, it’s easy to put together a simple – or even more complex – book chronicling the love you’ve built together and enjoy today. There are kits available practically everywhere to get you started, or you can purchase a very simple journal-type album with blank pages. Make sure your choice contains acid-free paper (most do now). Decorate the cover, if blank, with doodles and scribbles of love. Place just a few photos on each page inside, adding messages about each photo and what it means to you. Include poetry…special song lyrics…little stories…whatever will help personalize your scrapbook. Have a dried leaf you’ve saved from your first walk in the woods together? How ’bout that movie ticket stub from your first date? Remember, using your imagination is the greatest gift of all.
favorite flowers: Surprise your love with flowers – all day long! Either your love’s favorites, or take your cue from the “Say it with Flowers” section on this page. You could even tie a little note to each flower you leave for your love, letting your love know the meaning of each. Surprise him/her everywhere: on his/her pillow; on the desk at work; in the car; in a drawer sure to be opened; in the shower. Have fun!
grab the camcorder: Make a movie for your love, similar to the scrapbooking project. Gather friends to sing a favorite song; interview family members (don’t forget your own – they are important, too); try to track down an old friend or two. Go to a favorite spot with special meaning for you both, set up the tripod, and add your own message of love and what makes the relationship you share so special.
simple gifts from the heart: Intimidated by the idea of trying out something new? Or maybe short on time? Champagne, roses, candy, a quiet dinner at a favorite restaurant, jewelry…these are time-honored gifts that will never fail you. Teddy bears are also a great way to say “I’m thinking of you”.
personalized gift certificates: Many people have computer access now…try using your gift-card making program to make gift certificates or coupons for loving favors. Try one, or several, of these: a massage; a special home-cooked meal (gourmet or down-home — Yumm!); a back-scratching session; a sensual sponge bath; how about a pedicure with a foot massage?; a special date (Don’t like baseball games? Make an exception for your love.); a dinner by candlelight.
the collector: Does your love keep a collection of something? Beanie Babies; Magic Attic collectibles; Hummels; Christmas ornaments; baseball caps; maybe a china pattern, or antique glass? Every once in a while, stop by and pick up something to add to his/her collection. If your love doesn’t have something in particular he/she collects, maybe you can start a collection together. How about souvenir spoons or keychains whenever you take a trip together, showcased on a shelf in your kitchen?
ROMANTIC EXPRESSIONS OF LOVE
on the radio: Call in to your love’s favorite radio show with a song dedication and message of your love. Make sure that you or a friend is at the ready to tape the show as a keepsake.
work day lunch: Schedule a lunch date with your love and show up at their office to pick them up with an armload of flowers…be ready for the “ooohhhs and aaahhs of jealous co-workers!
a tasteful singing telegram: Make sure that the message is tasteful if it’s to be performed in public, and that’s it’s ok with your love’s boss! Many places will allow this on a special day or at a special time (like during the lunch break-type period).
list your love: Make a list of all the things you love about your love. Leave little notes of these reasons all over your home for your love to find…or sneak them into your love’s lunch bag each morning. How about simply writing “I Love You” in lipstick on the bathroom mirror?
hidden messages: Leave hidden messages for your love in unexpected places. In the mailbox; in the mist on the car windshield; on the answering machine or voicemail; mail it to his/her office; tucked into the grocery bag your love is about to empty; in the cookie jar on the counter; in his/her favorite cereal box.
