JUNE IS THE month of love, and I have long ago replaced the purely romantic concept of love with the deeper, stronger, more abiding love of the family. The event that started this site in fact had nothing to do with couple love, but with love notes thrown by children into the cell of Saint Valentine! Everyone, from birth to death, longs to feel the words "I love you," either spoken or demonstrated.

How to say "I love you" to the whole family is as easy as a single rose and as complicated as changing a life. Start now by showing each member of your family how much you love them through your words and actions. Years ago I brainstormed a list of 50 ways to say "I Love You!" It is one of my favorite lists, and I would like to share it with you.

1. Bring home a single rose and place it on your child's pillow.

2. Have a favorite photo of family enlarged, framed and placed on the desk or bedside of your child/spouse/parent.

3. When pouring yourself juice in the morning, pour another one to take your child/spouse/parent.

4. Take off early from work one day and take your child to the park after school.

5. Next time your kid heads off to the mall with friends, slip him a little extra cash "just because."

6. Get tickets to a local sporting event, play or concert for just you and your child, or the whole family.

7. Declare a no-TV night and pull out a board game, cards, or puzzle.

8. Take lunch out--with your child at her school, the park, or a restaurant.

9. On an occasion that is special to your child, invite him out to a "good" restaurant for dinner.

10. Mat and frame her art work and display it in your house or office.

11. Pick up your child's favorite magazine or order a surprise subscription.

12. Take over a task that belongs to your child/spouse/parent, such as taking out the garbage, once in awhile.

13. Have a candlelit dinner--for the family.

14. Rent a tape that your child/spouse/parent has been wanting to see and watch it all together one evening.

15. Select certain regular television shows to watch, enjoy and discuss as a family.

16. Invite your child/spouse/parent out to a movie.

17. Pick a paperback book that you enjoyed to give to your child/spouse/parent, or go to the library together and pick out a book you both will enjoy.

18. While shopping at the mall, take 15 minutes out to play a video game with your child/spouse/parent.

19. Volunteer to do unsolicited child care for your spouse/parent.

20. Share personal thoughts, concerns, feelings and memories with your child/spouse/parent.

21. If you work/study all the time, surprise your child/spouse/parent by taking off an afternoon or weekend to devote to the family without outside distractions.

22. Do something unexpected and fun for a change, like roasting marshmallows in the fireplace or playing indoor Nerf baseball.

23. Spend an extra ten minutes to put your child to bed at night by reading him an extra story, singing a soft song, or just chatting and cuddling.

24. Bring pizza home one night so nobody has to cook.

25. Pick up your clothes, books, papers, room without being asked.

26. Give each member of the family a hug every morning when you wake up and every evening when you go to bed.

27. Suggest to your child that she invite a friend over before she has to ask and beg you.

28. Go for a leisurely walk or bike ride with just one child or your spouse.

29. Contribute matching funds to an item your child has been saving for.

30. Plant special cards or messages saying "I love you" in lunch boxes, dresser drawers, pockets of jackets, book bags, and briefcases.

31. Give an unsolicited food/hand/head massage to your child/spouse/parent.

32. Read to your young children every day, whether it is Monica or the journal comics. Hold them close to you in your lap.

33. Take your child to a favorite place once a week--the science center, card shop, library, or playground--guaranteed.

34. Read favorite stories and books out loud, even to kids who already know how to read.

35. Ask your child/spouse/parent opinions about things that matter to you.

36. Call your child/spouse/parent from work just to say "I love you!"

37. Share the newspaper everyday, particularly sections that interest you both, such as the sports page or the entertainment section.

38. Really try to learn/understand about a hobby or interest your child/spouse/parent has.

39. Lend your child/parent an item of clothing or jewelry she really admires.

40. Take your child to work with you one day, or even a few hours.

41. Offer to do your mother's/daughter's hair, nails, make-up just for fun.

42. Share/teach a skill, such as cooking, sewing, in-line skating, video games, roller skating, or playing an instrument.

43. Plant a small garden or window boxes together.

44. Demonstrate interest and contribute whenever possible to your child's/parent's/spouse's collections or treasures, such as stamps, shells, dolls, or bugs.

45. Catch your child/spouse/parent doing something nice or thoughtful, and let them know you appreciate it.

46. Tag along on a routine errand, like grocery shopping, just to keep your parent/spouse company.

47. Find out and remember that which is important to your child/spouse/parent, not only anniversaries and birthdays, but also personal milestones (first tooth, first date) or private achievements ("A" in Geometry, a raise).

48. Be a loving, caring example to your child/spouse/parent.

49. Let your child/spouse/parent know on a regular basis that no matter what they do or say in the heat of an argument or anger, you will always love them unconditionally.

50. Just say it: "I LOVE YOU!"