Saying It Out Loud

My grandpa mostly let his patience do the talking.

I want that patience. I also want to use my words.

So I say it. “I love you.” Out loud, even to people who aren’t used to hearing it from me.

It’s a risk. It doesn’t always land. Sometimes the other person laughs it off with a joke. Sometimes I pick the wrong moment, and we both stand there for a second, not sure what comes next.

That’s fine. A minute of awkward is a small price. The other option is somebody going years, maybe their whole life, without knowing.

And most of the time? It lands just fine.

Kids need to hear it. So do plenty of grown-ups who never did.