I had a spiritual mentor once that was only a few years older than I was. He was not just a mentor, but he was a dear friend. During our time together, I grew to love him in a powerful way, a way that I couldn’t quite define. It was a holy kind of love, where you can feel the other person pulling you towards a better version of yourself. He blessed my life in ways I can’t put into words. I miss him terribly. Normalize telling people you love them. It really isn’t as awkward as you think it is.

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I can say this to you because you know what I mean

If I said this to someone else, he might take it wrong

And if someone overheard she might think

Why would I admit it?

But they don’t understand. They don’t know what’s in my heart when I say this to you:

I love you.

And I don’t mean it in the way that people use it

Like “I love peanut butter” or “I love Fridays”

Because you aren’t an event or a commodity

Something that’s tasty or fun.

No, not like that. You aren’t a thing at all.

And I don’t mean it in the way that’s scandalous

Like “I love you. Let’s keep it a secret”

Because I already have a bedmate

And you don’t need or want another one.

No. It isn’t that kind of love.

And I certainly don’t mean it in the way people use

To describe their frustrations.

“I love my sister but…” or “My uncle is…but I love him.”

No. That’s not what I mean when I say this:

I love you.

It’s much more than that

Because when you are near I can’t help being drawn

Into your fire

Burning with passion and light

Pointing to something that is outside and yet inside of me

That can keep my fire going.

That’s what this “I love you” is like.

You know what I mean.