If you’re married or in a serious relationship, you’re no stranger to the phrase, “I love you.” You can say those 3 little words to your partner one million times, but we all know that it has to be followed up with action.
Showing love isn’t an exact science. We all speak different love languages, so you may show love in a way that your spouse doesn’t understand (and vice versa). Well, it doesn’t have to remain that way.
Happy couples’ love for each other and dedication to the relationship lead to many adjustments in the way they show love to each other. If what you’re doing isn’t working for your relationship, it may be time to change your approach. Use this list of 75 ways to show love as a guide to loving your mate in a way that may save your relationship or just take it to a new level of awesomeness.
1. A kiss on the forehead
2. Uninterrupted quality time
3. A note under the pillow
4. Tell him when he looks masculine, sexy, or hot
5. Turn a regular day into an All-About-You day just for your mate
6. Breakfast served in bed
7. A romantic picnic indoors
8. An unexpected dinner cruise
9. Propose marriage on one knee
10. Don’t complain when he leaves the toilet seat up
11. A rose on the pillow
12. Tell her she’s beautiful
13. Pour on the chivalry (open doors, pull her chair out)
14. A bubble bath with rose petals and her favorite scented candles
15. Verbalize what your relationship means to you
16. Surprise her with her favorite flowers and candy
17. An “I love you because…” list
18. PDA (public displays of affection)
19. Heart shaped pancakes or cookies
20. A walk in the park together
21. Hold your beloved a little tighter and longer than usual
22. Do some of his/her chores
23. A handwritten card sprayed with your scent
24. Spoil each other
25. Renew your marriage vows
26. Be first to say “I’m sorry” after an argument
27. Personalize (i.e. engrave) gifts
28. Place an “I love you” flyer under the car’s windshield wiper
29. Send a surprise gift to his/her workplace
30. Support each other’s dreams
31. Make love slowly, passionately
32. Run his bath water
33. Give your spouse space when needed
34. Buy her feminine hygiene products (before she asks)
35. Bring him a cold beer while he watches football
36. Put a love note in her purse
37. Hold hands
38. Take showers together and wash each other’s back (or whole body)
39. Look deeply into your lover’s eyes
40. Always kiss goodbye and goodnight
41. Boast about your mate and your relationship to mutual friends
42. Arrange for a babysitter so you can have an unexpected date night
43. Say how much you love each other even if you think it’s known
44. Use cute pet names for each other
45. Rub your noses together
46. Remember to say thank you (often)
47. Excuse each other’s mistakes
48. Meditate together
49. Sleep in his t-shirt
50. Wash her hair
51. Step outside of traditional gender roles to help each other (Cook dinner for her; take the trash out for him)
52. Verbally reassure your lover
53. Take photographs as a couple
54. Give up the last piece of food on your plate
55. Write a short fairy tale using you and your mate as the characters (Once upon a time…”)
56. Listen more intently
57. Flirt with each other
58. Sing your significant other a love song
59. Get up early to help him/her get ready for work
60. Say “I adore you”
61. Watch a chic flick with her
62. Kiss your mate somewhere you never thought to kiss before (i.e. elbow, knee, toe)
63. Initiate affection (hugs, kisses, spooning)
64. Take good care of yourself so that you’re at your best for the one you love
65. A handmade gift or card
66. Write a sweet message on a fogged-up mirror so he/she will see it after exiting the shower
67. Cook your significant other’s’ favorite meal
68. Feed each other chocolate covered strawberries
69. Cuddle by the fireplace
70. Laugh and have fun with each other
71. Rub his/her feet
72. Create a scrapbook together
73. Start a hobby together
74. Dance indoors to your favorite song
75. Ask about each other’s day
Healthy relationships survive because both partners keep trying. They know the secret–that love is a verb. Loving your spouse or lover means taking action to help keep love (the feeling) alive and flourishing.
What are some of your favorite ways to show love? What are some ways you’d like your partner to show love? Do you agree that love (the action) is as important as love (the feeling).
Related Relationship Goodies
- The 5 Love Languages
- Get Your Ex Back – Relationship Healer
- 40 Signs You’re In a Healthy Relationship
Nea is a Life Transformation Coach who believes happiness should never be optional.
If you’re ready to live a happier, more fulfilling life and you want to know how Nea can help you overcome what stands in your way, contact her now or click the link here to learn more about life coaching
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Hi, I'm Nea. As a 
{ 29 comments }
Ahh my favorite thing is. When I am having one of those days we all have sometimes. My wife never asks why or what. She knows I’ll get around to talking about it. If I’m to quiet or slaving over bookwork or the like. She walks by an simply straightens my hair and gives me 20 second neck massage. Thats it no words, just her moments time. For me after all these years that says it all.
That is definitely a beautiful gesture. Sometimes words are completely unnecessary. Great example!
Hi Nea! This is a pretty awesome list! A great reminder of ways to keep the relationship fresh and vibrant. I’d like to add more item to the list just because it’s one of my hubby’s fav: give him a hand massage while we are watching a movie or just sitting around.
Thanks for the great tips! Loving blessings!
That’s a really great one Andrea and I intend to give it a try with my hunny. It’s amazing how we can do such small things to brighten a loved one’s world. Ahhhhhh…..love.
I absolutely love this blog! It makes me smile when I read it and I’m not quite sure why =)
I know why…because you have an awesome smile. Hee Hee. Thanks for dropping by Sharlene. Love and hugs.
Hi Nea,
GREAT suggestions and reminders of how simple (and varied) saying “I love you” can be – it doesn’t always have to be the words. I’d like to follow Andrea’s lead and say that one of my favorite ways to say “I love you” to my 6-year old daughter is to add a heart shaped sandwich or cookie to her lunchbox with a little personal note or picture.
Thanks for the great reminders – those words are certainly ones we can never hear enough of!
Thanks Tisha. I’m so happy that you enjoyed the list. I absolutely love your idea for showing love to your daughter. She’ll remember that long after childhood. I’ve done similar things, such as adding a “World’s Best Daughter” note in my daughter’s lunch. Even at the age of 16, she still appreciates it.
Thank you for letting us some important point to keep your relationship fresh and healthy forever. Although many people used to do things there own way but there are some more things to do and what you have told to us are some of those things that are quite essential to do. So thank you again and i really admire your blog.
Oh yes, there are many ways to keep relationships thriving. This list of 75 is just a start.
Hi Nea
Came over from Tess of the Bold life… looks like that CommentLuv plugin really works.
A fantastic list of 75 ways to show love, but you forgot the most important…
Number 76 – Offer to do the washing up. LOL
Hi Keith. Thanks so much for stopping by. Thanks for adding #76…that’s perfect. That’s definitely how you show love.
Nea,
I love the “all about you day.” I’m going to do this today!
Oh he’ll love it. I hope you come back to share how it went.
I love thinking about love languages, and all the different ways we can communicate our feelings. It really shows that we are more than just talking beings. We don’t always need to flap our lips to express ourselves.
My favorites are 1, 48, and 56.
Hi there Steven. #1 is one of my favorites, which is why it’s number one. Kissing is the norm, but a kiss on the forehead or nose is so special. It makes my heart melt and I’m sure many other people feel the same.
This is lovely dear sweet Nea!! I tweeted and shared on my Facebook page. Oddly, I love the things like “Don’t complain when he leaves the toilet seat up.” Things like that changed my husbands whole life. He told me that I was so kind that he in turn wanted to be kind back. So beautiful, because he is the most kind man I’ve ever known in my life. He shines with kindness.
You are amazing, Nea, so deeply loving yourself. It why I love you and am touched over and over by you. Robin
I truly admire the relationship that you have with your husband. It sounds like you two have built something wonderful on a solid foundation. That’s very inspiring to new couples who hope to do the same.
Nea,
This is a beautiful list of reminders. Sometimes couples fall into the pattern of saying he/she doesnt appreciate me, doesnt do anything for me, doesnt….. etc. But when we step forward and do loving things for our significant other, often that loving feeling is catchy and before you know it both of you are passionatly showing your love for each other again, even if it has been 30 years.
I think one of the most important ones on this list is saying Thank You often. I do this all the time. It is a great way to show that you are seeing what your significant other is doing for you, and that you appreciate them!
These are all beautiful ideas, and I am so grateful that as I read down the list I recognized many things that my sweetheart and I do for each other. Love is a beautiful reflection, and such a magical thing to share with our best friends!
Hi Stacey. You’ve singled out one of my absolute favorites. Showing appreciation is so important to me. I don’t mind catering to the person in my life, but I like to know that it’s not taken for granted. Saying thank you is a simple but beautiful way of showing love.
Thanks for the post! You had given me ideas on how I will show my affection to my partner in different ways everyday.
I’m glad you enjoyed the ideas. Thanks for your comment.
What a wonderful list. You know I had to share it on Twitter; I hope people come by to check it out. Number 63 is our favorite; we hug often every day.
Hi there Mitch. I’m so glad you enjoyed the list and I think it’s awesome that you shared it with others. Thanks for sharing the love.
WOW, I am in love with this article of yours. I loved the these tips a lot, will try them soon. Beautifully narrated article. Thanks for the share!
I’m glad you enjoyed it. Come back soon.
Hi NEA
Nice Post
Wow,
you are amazing… Great checklist, haha..
Being in love is such a wonderful thing
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