Saying Goodbye, I Love You
(please indulge me this, I just felt compelled to write some thoughts)
So, Katie just texted me “Happy Easter, my flight’s about to take off for New Orleans.” And I replied, “blah blah blah I love you SO MUCH.”
As one does when sending off a loved one.
And I thought…isn’t it sort of a selfish thing that we say I Love You in this way? With goodbyes? So, heaven forbid, should something happen to That Loved Person while traveling (because for some reason we always think risk of death is higher when someone gets into a significant traveling contraption – plane, train, etc – than when they just get into their car to go to the market…even though car accidents are the leading cause of accidental death in the US….and maybe you DO say I Love You when someone’s just leaving for work for the day, but still…it’s when they’re LEAVING), we don’t have to live with the guilt of the last thing we ever said to them being, “You’re going out in THAT? You look like you’re going to a Tacky Party!” or perhaps worse, nothing at all, because their leaving is not even noticed by you.
Why is it always “goodbye, love you!” And not “Welcome! I love you!” or “You’re here! I love you!” or “You came! I love you!” Doesn’t that seem nicer? Wouldn’t that set such a welcoming, loving tone to the one arriving?? And yet, who does that? Maybe people do and I’m just not aware. Maybe just no one’s ever said that to ME.
That’s all. Just a random thought.
Note to self: start saying Hello, I Love You.
Susan Sommer
Hello, I love you!
bettyewp
And I you 🙂
Jodie
I love that and am going to start doing that.
Xoox
Jodie
Betty (no e)
Bettye, what an inspiring thought! My husband and I do say Love You as we’re walking out the door, but rarely, if ever, when we arrive back home. He’s working a really odd shift and some days I’m still awake when he gets home from work. I’m going to make it a priority to welcome him home with an I love you. Thanks for the idea!
bettyewp
Hope the unexpected I Love You brings a smile to someone’s face!
Betty (no e)
It does, to both our faces. 😃
bettyewp
<3
Marceline Miller
How wonderful! Thank you for this post!
Debbie from Illinois
Bettye, that sure makes sense. 😀❤️
Em D
Excellent points made! I absolutely do this, and will actually make a second round if I don’t member with certainty that I did it. Ours is also accompanied simultaneously by a finger or thumb-drawn cross on the one departing.
Daughter number one has adopted the second round hug/kiss. Daughter number two does the second round for crosses. Can I raise kids, or can I raise kids? Haha…. always good to pass along your issues to the next generation.
To your point: Love the welcome home idea. I think we always say it with a hug/kiss on the greeting, but you’re right we don’t verbalize it until the departure. Such a great observation!
bettyewp
Hmm…was thinking about what “issues” I’ve passed onto Katie. Maybe just that since I am NOT cautious and careful, she is EXTREMELY cautious and careful. I was always trying to burn the house down and get us robbed and she was always following me around, blowing out candles and locking the door 🙂
Marceline Miller
SUCH a great post, Bettye! Did I say that already? Blog commenting seems to baffle me. LOL
bettyewp
Ha ha, you had already commented…but said something different, so it’s all good!
Leslie Susan Clingan
According to my PC, I say I love you ad nauseum. When I first see, or talk with someone, peppered throughout the visit or conversation and again at the end of the visit or call, 3-4 times before I say the final goodbye. Maybe I need to scale it back.
bettyewp
No. Don’t do that 🙂