38 Ways To Tell Someone You Love Them

Indisputably, the worst part of the morning (aside from, y'know, waking up) is planning ahead for lunch. Surprise them by making them a lunch along with your own, or adding a personal twist to theirs. One less thing they have to worry about!

Maybe they are learning Italian, or they're a huge Star Wars enthusiast, or they're really, really into candle-making. Even if you can't walk the walk, learn enough to talk the talk, so you can have more enriching conversations about it together.

When they tell stories about work or their childhoods or what's going on in their lives, remember the names of the people you can't put faces to — be it their coworker, their old babysitter, or a distant relative. When you ask about it again, they'll sense that you truly listened to their tales.

Next time you're out grabbing groceries and you see a little something you know they love, grab it to surprise them with later. Or better yet — if you know they're running low on something, grab it to make their life a little easier!

Get that light on the dashboard of their car checked out, or take that stained shirt to the dry cleaner's, or replace the bulbs blown out in the bathroom. Even just noticing one little thing and taking care of it for them means the world.

... And maybe have a backup plan if cooking isn't your forté. At the very least, even if it doesn't come out up to snuff, it means you can spend time together learning how to make it the next time.

Put sweet or encouraging post-it notes in unexpected places, like the glove compartment, the bathroom drawer, or even in a shoe. It's those moments when we're most in a rush that it's always nice to take a beat and appreciate how much we're loved.

If there's supposedly something good on their horizon, let them know! Maybe it'll give them that extra boost of confidence they need at work, or put you both in the mood for whatever romance is written in the stars.

Maybe they have a big race coming up, and need a pump-up playlist, or they're studying for a test and need some smooth, relaxing tunes. Curate a playlist for them on Spotify and send them the link with an encouraging note, letting them know you're rooting them on.

Whether it's a funny quote from a movie or something profound from their favorite poet, break out the colored pencils or the calligraphy pen and design something they can hang on their wall or prop up on their desk in the office.

Surprise your partner by getting up to speed with the show they love to binge-watch, the franchise they can't live without, or the book they read over and over again. Who knows? Maybe by pushing your envelope a bit, you'll also find a new favorite.

No need to go ham on their social media, but leaving a "hey there hottie ;)))" or some funny inside joke on their latest Insta is guaranteed to make them do that doofy smile-in-public thing.

Even if you're not the most skilled with a cocktail shaker, you can make this work. Put a twist on their go-to drink and rename it "The Ashley" or "The Taylor" in their honor, so they can feel like a true celeb every time you turn your kitchen into a would-be bar.

Or, if you lack the culinary prowess, grab some fun breakfast items the night before to pop into the oven or microwave. Nothing is quite as romantic as getting food delivered straight to your bedside in the morning. (Fight me.)

Remember how they take their coffee or their tea, whether they prefer red or white wine, what brands of beer are their fallbacks. In those moments they're running late and have a personalized drink waiting for them, they'll really appreciate it.

Every now and then when your gang is having a casual hang and other peoples' partners are invited, make an effort to introduce them to the pack. Nothing shows you care quite like sharing them the other people in your world.

In that same vein, when you meet their friends, make a conscious effort to relate to them and find common ground. They want you to be a part of their world every bit as much as you want them in yours.

We tend to tell each other the ins and outs of our daily lives and the same stories over and over — so get specific. Favorite snow day memories, favorite vacation memories, favorite memories of their pets. You don't have to dig that deep to find entire facets of them that you haven't explored, and they'll feel touched that you're curious.

There is no surprise quite as welcome as remembering someone's half-birthday, especially when we tend not to remember it ourselves! Mark the occasion with half a cupcake (the other half, of course, is for you).

Maybe you live in a huge bustling city, or a small, sleepy town. Either way, find some quiet spot — whether it's a coffee shop between your offices, or a park bench to picnic on, or a scenic spot on a hike — and start visiting often enough that it feels like yours, and you look forward to getting away from the rest of the world there.

Let them into your world by trusting them with the things that matter to you most, whether it's a song or a book or a hobby that defines you in some way. Maybe it isn't for them, but they'll appreciate that you let them see this part of yourself anyway.

Of course, this applies to just about anything on this list; if there is something they don't want to share, or something they don't want to do, respect their space. They will open up to you in their own time, and appreciate your patience and trust.

Maybe they have a tried-and-true mac and cheese recipe that they're especially proud of. Make the usual batch, then pull a portion aside and add your own twist for them to try — nothing shows you care quite like helping build up new traditions together.

Whether this means actually, physically yelling for them on the sidelines of a race, or just remembering to say "good luck" about a presentation on the way out the door — supporting them through the hurdles, big and small, goes a long way.

Maybe there's a secret spot on a hiking trail, or a spot where you and your siblings used to hide, or just a place other than where you live where you feel at home. Invite them into your older worlds, so they feel more comfortable sharing theirs.

Of course it's meaningful to share your photos with families and friends on social media. But there is something so much more intimate and special about displaying a picture of your adventures in your home, only meant for you and your guests to see; it tells someone that they're a fixture in your life.

When they ask for advice, anybody can build them up and encourage them. But you can show you care by not just encouraging them, but actively finding ways to help them foster their growth and see all of their potential. It's your way of saying you're in it for the long haul.

You spend a lot of time together because you care about each other – but it's every bit as legit to spend time apart because you care about each other, too. Once you're both uninhibited enough around each other to say when you need alone time without it rubbing the wrong way, you'll know that you can be that much more comfortable around each other.

If you don't already live together but you spend a lot of time at each other's places, be the one who makes the gesture and clears the drawer for them.

You can't control the universe — every now and then you're going to be late, and there's nothing you can do about it. But most of the time, you can make a conscious effort to be somewhere on time, and your partner will appreciate it — especially if they know you're a person who tends to run late.

The truth is, everyone loves flowers. When did we start gendering bringing people beautiful things? Even if you don't think that your partner is a flower person, their reaction might surprise you.

In those moments when we're totally stumped, or a decision is weighing on us, it's the people we love and trust the most whose opinions we consider. By asking for their advice more often, you are letting them know that they are one of those people you love and trust.

If your partner has a sweet tooth, there is indisputably no dessert in this world that can top dessert made from scratch — except maybe dessert made from scratch by someone who loves you.

Yes, of course you're going to see each other later, and you know it's no big deal if one of you goes a few hours before responding to a text. But it's always nice to let your partner know they can depend on you to stay in touch all the same.

If you're in a fight and you have to go, at least make an effort to remind each other that you still love each other, even when that love doesn't look as picture perfect as you think it should.

When they go out of their way for you, even if it's something they've done a hundred times, remember to thank them for it. Keep gratitude a constant in your lives.

Yes, you should do everything you can to show it, day in and day out. But saying "I love you" doesn't lose its magic or its meaning, no matter how many times you say it to someone you truly love. Remind them of that whenever you can.