To me, autumn is romance. First of all, turtleneck sweaters and jeans make me feel cute and even a little sexy. Secondly, I can start cooking fun food and I love to feed my man. Thirdly, well, the third reason is very special. It was the perfect fall evening 8 years ago my husband told me he loved me for the first time.

I was visiting my husband for the weekend. He was living in a frat house and before you get images of womanizing jocks let me clarify this was a frat house with a bunch of geeky engineering types. A great group of guys (and the ladies who loved them), many of whom we’re still friends with to this day. At this point in our relationship, Randy and I had known each other for nearly 4 years, but only starting dating about 4 month earlier. We had spent most of the summer together, but then I went back to school, so we only saw each other on weekends.

When I walked in the old house, it smelled of bleach and cheap air freshener as everyone was cleaning for the party taking place the following night. As I walked through the hallway, I saw Randy. To this day, my hearts still jumps the way it jumped in the beginning. I wish I wrote this back then because I cannot remember what he was wearing; only he had a huge grin on his face as he rose to greet me. His arms wrapped around me and smiled that smile reserved only for me.

Before heading out that evening with our friends, Randy told me he had something he needed to talk to me about, but because we were going out he wanted to wait until tomorrow. I was worried and it must have shown on my face.

“Don’t worry - it’s good. I promise…well, I think it’s good.”

Yea, that’s a real confidence builder there, bud.

The next day was filled with more party preparations, but I still kept wondering what he needed to speak with me about. As evening drew closer, Randy looked at me.

“I really want to talk to you before either of us starts drinking. It’s important.”

Maybe he was offered a job far away? Or maybe he was going to go to grad school? Or maybe he wanted space, but still wanted to keep in touch? I really had no idea, but it was important enough to do it stone cold sober so it had to be important.

I sat down on the scratchy brown couch in his room. He took my hands in his, rubbing his thumbs on the backs of my hands, then let go with one and place it gently around my neck. He went on to explain how much he missed me during the week and that it surprised him. He told me that for quite some time he wanted to tell me something, but didn’t know how. As he’s talking to me, his pulling me closer and closer and at this point we’re almost eye to eye. I had to be careful not to focus too closely on his eyes otherwise he became a Cyclops.

That’s when he said it.

“Heather, I love you.”

To this day, just thinking about that moment makes me smile and tear up all at once. It wasn’t the first time a boy told me he loved me. But it was the first time I knew what being loved by a man felt like. I was overwhelmed with how important those words were to him and to me. Of course, I said it back to him and I felt a rush of relief in his sigh. It was honestly one of the most memorable moments in my life.

Does anyone else remember when their husbands first said I love you to them? I think sometimes we all forget how we started as a couple. Take a moment to remember that first I love you or the moment you fell in love with your husband. Please feel free to share it with me too!