Tell Your Friends You Love Them. Make it Weird.

Make it Weird.

Anyone who knows me at all knows that I have no problem being weird, making things weird, loving all things weird. It’s been my thing since 1982 and I’m still going strong.

And I easily say I love you to my family, especially my children.

I can tell you clearly that I have friends that I love dearly with all of my heart.

But, did they know that? Have I told them?

In the past few years, I have had a handful of friends who loudly and clearly declare their love for me.

They do it at the end of phone calls, in text messages, with bear hugs and surprise gifts on my porch.

There is no fear or embarrassment. They love me and want to make sure that I know that I am loved and special all of the time.

Every time I hear it or read it, it brings me to my knees and warms my soul.

It is so incredibly special to be loved by another individual so much that they feel compelled to tell you. It changes me in a fundamental way every time I hear it; so much so that it renews my belief that this world is full of good people.

Every time I hear or read it, it challenges me to respond in part. This makes me vulnerable. My initial instinct is to say, “oh, that’s not real, they’re just saying that”. I guess you can call that a hold over from a childhood of struggling to fit it.

But, I sit with that feeling of vulnerability. And I sit. And I sit a little more. I sit with it until the anxiety subsides and the warmth that comes from being valued and seen by others washes over me.

I want my boys to be the kind of men that tell anyone they love that they love them. Out loud. And big.  So I need them to see me loving out loud and big.

My friends are challenging me to do just that and I am so incredibly grateful and inspired. It is my only New Year’s resolution and so far I’m holding true to it.

So, today, I challenge you dear reader. Make your own declaration and follow through out loud and big.

Tell your friends you love them. Make it weird.

Amanda Fuselier
Amanda is a native of Kenner, LA and is now an honorary Cajun. She is married to a psychiatric nurse, Joe, and is a hospice social worker so don't come to her house unless you are ready to talk about your feelings! Amanda and Joe are parents to Kael and Remy and furry parents to Luna and Spiderman. Amanda is all about that #boymom life and is enjoying wrangling her two wild men while checking out the wonderful culture of Acadiana and all of Louisiana. Amanda is a fan of all things yummy and enjoys a good cocktail. Her motto is "if I can't wear yoga pants, I'm not going".