Say ‘I love you.’ Say it softly, whispering the words into the ear of the one you love. Say it loud. Say it without fear. Say it when the emotions overflow your and you can’t help but let the phrase escape from your lips.

Say ‘I love you.’ Say it with intention, with purpose, with a boldness running through your veins. Say it because you mean it. Say it because it’s true. Say it because if you don’t the moment will pass and you’ll forever wonder why you didn’t, or what could have been.

Say ‘I love you.’ Say it to the man, the woman who has a grip on your heart. Say it to the one who raised you, to the person who willingly set aside their dreams for you, without a backward glance. Say it to the child looking into your eyes with awe, to the friend who has selflessly supported you, never letting you stand alone.

Say ‘I love you.’ Say it to the man whose laughter fills your chest with warmth, to the woman who brightens your world with her smile. Say it to the mother who was selfless in teaching you how to navigate your dreams, to the father who paved a way for you to stand boldly and exist in this world.

Say ‘I love you.’ Say it to the people you forgot to say it to, like a declaration. Say it like a statement of thanks. Say it to the one whose fingers fit between yours, like a promise of who you are and where you’ll go. Say it without wondering if you will be ‘too much,’ or if it’s too soon. Say it without counting the reasons why you shouldn’t or should.

Say ‘I love you.’ Say it because all of our days on this earth are numbered and impermanent. Say it because what if you don’t—will you live life looking back? Say it because words are meant to be expressed, feelings are meant to be shared. Say it because you have to. Say it because to hold back would be a shame. Say it because, despite all odds, you believe.