You've Got to Tell Her (Or Him) That You Love Her (Or Him)

by Courtney Mroch | More from this Blogger

This afternoon I finally had the chance to see Enchanted. Part of me had wanted to see it when it came out last summer, but I wasn't sure I'd like it and didn't want to risk dragging Wayne to it.

But then I caught some of the songs that were performed during the Oscars, and I also watched part of it on the flight home from my mom's house (on someone else's seatback screen a few aisle in front of me).

It looked pretty cute so I Netflixed it and ended up liking it. (So did Wayne, who watched with me as he worked.)

One of the songs, "That's How You Know," really caught my ear. Not only is the tune toe-tapping fun, but the lyrics ring true.

How does she know that you love her? How does she know she's yours? How does she know that you love her? How do you show her you love her?

~-Partial Lyrics from "That's How You Know," Enchanted

Giselle (played by Amy Adams) sings the song to divorce lawyer and single dad Robert (played by Patrick Dempsey) when she asks him how the girl he intends to propose to knows what his heart is feeling and his response clearly indicates he takes it for granted that she just does.

Giselle admonishes him for making such an assumption and through song goes on to explain the importance of both showing and telling your beloved that you love them. Regularly and often. She then goes on to list small gestures (such as wearing her favorite color to match her eyes, and taking her dancing for an excuse to hold her close) that convey love.

"He'll find his own way to tell you/With the little things he'll do," another part of the lyrics go.

All of the song was just so true. All too often people take their partners for granted. (Both men and women are to blame.) They assume because the proposal was made and the vows were said that it's a given their betrothed knows they're loved.

That's not love. That's formalities.

Love is... so many things, isn't it? What's love for me may be different for you, but it boils down to the same thing: our spouses take time to show us they love us.

They send a text message out of the blue, just to say hi. They call you on a Wednesday afternoon and make plans for a mid-week dinner and movie night. (And if you have kids they've also arranged for a sitter.) If they travel, they call every night before they turn in when they're on the road to wish you sweet dreams.

It's not enough your spouse is on your mind. It's making them aware of it that counts most.

Learn more about Courtney Mroch

Courtney Mroch is a wife, a proud pet parent, and a writer. She's been with her husband, high school sweetheart Wayne Pryor, over 20 years, married 11 of those. She's "mom" to Mr. Meow, a.k.

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