Say It Every Day

"Love, look at the two of us, strangers in many ways." I don't need Valentine's Day to sing this old Carpenters song to longtime hubby at least once, if not twice a month, with my own special Ethel Merman spin. Not that the lyrics apply to us. Five decades in, we're not strangers in any way. He knows me too well. He knows I'm a little too honest at times. And he's fine with that. But don't take my word for it. On this Valentine's Day, 2022, let's double-check:

"Honey, are you okay with how honest I am?" 

"Do I have a choice?" 

See. Acceptance is so important in a healthy marriage. But how did I get here? How did I arrive at this honest approach to marriage, and so much more? I caught it from my parents. They were big fans of honesty, even if it hurt. More importantly, they were big fans of saying, "I love you." A lot. Not a day went by when I didn't hear them say, "I love you." To each other. To their children. Sometimes it came with an addendum. "I don't always like you, but I always love you." Not a day goes by when I don't say "I love you" to my family and friends, and of course, the Royal Rescue Pup. I have my parents to thank for that. So don't wait for Valentine's Day, Birthdays, or National Ice Scream Day to say it. Say "I love you" every day. It's good for you. It's the best part of being alive.