I don’t remember being told “I love you” in my childhood or growing up.
I come from a family that didn’t express love with words.
The one person I remember saying these words was my aunt, and she was special.
And in Italy we have 2 kinds of “I love you”.
“Ti amo” is what you would say to the person you love romantically.
“Ti voglio bene” is for family and friends, for your son, your daughter, your mum, your dad, et cetera.
Living in England and talking English most of the time, I re-evaluated the words “Ti voglio bene”: I think they are beautiful.
They tell a noble intention, literally “I want you well”, it’s like “I want you to be well” or “I wish you well”.
But the language of love is not only words.
I don’t remember my mum telling me that she loved me.
But I knew it.
And she did many things that showed me that she loved me.
She used to read a book to me every evening.
If I was upset she would talk about it, so I would be calm when falling asleep.
Sometimes she would surprise me by collecting me from school and bringing me to a park for a picnic.
Another way of expressing love is with gifts.
My boyfriend when I was at university, got me a big and soft present all wrapped up for my birthday.
I thought: “Oh no! It’s that penguin plush I said I loved the other day! Why don’t I stop joking like that! He thought I really wanted it!”
So I open it reluctantly, and it’s full of bubble wrap, and more bubble wrap… and in the middle, a small box, with a Nikon camera!
Ok that was a nice surprise, and he did know what I really wanted. And it was fun.
And what about you?
Do you like to write a greeting card, or a letter?
I designed five greeting cards with photos of my artworks.
Or do you like to gift something unique to a special person?
A unique Love Potion?
Or a handmade necklace, a mug...
And what is your love language? I would love to read your comment below.
With love.
Una Marzorati
unamarz Creations