[Image] I make it a great habit of telling my kids that I love them. They reciprocate it quite well. On occasion, they've even offered the sentiment on their own (i.e. not in response to my affection). Josiah has taken the concept of our love to creative extremes and expressions. Often our conversation will go something like this-- Dad: "I love you, Josiah" Josiah: "I love you, TOO (with exuberant emphasis)." Dad: "How much do you love me?" Josiah: "This much." (he says while stretching his arms out as far as he can.) Well, the other day, Josiah realized that he'd reached as far as he could but wanted to express something bigger. He continued moving his arms back until they were behind him at which he shouted: "I love you behind my back!!" The was one of the most sincere expressions of affection a child could offer. It has now become a token phrase in our family jargon. Annie, not to be outdone, has found her stock return as "I love you more than you love me." I suppose many-a-child has used this one. I recall in my childhood of spending days with my Grandma in which we'd have the conversation: Grandma: "I love you, Nathan." Nathan: "I love you, too, Grandma." Grandma: "I love you more." Nathan: "I love you more than you love me." Love cannot be expressed too often. We all love, and we need to show it, but too often fathers (and mothers) fail to say it to our kids and our spouses. This reminds me (vaguely) of Golde and Tevye's banter from Fiddler on the Roof: "Do You Love Me?" (watch) If you want some help, here's how our expression has advanced from "I love you behind my back." I love you to the sky. I love you to the moon. I love you to the sun. I love you to infinity (and beyond - thanks Buzz Lightyear).
"I Love You Behind My Back"
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