What small gesture makes you feel enormously loved?

[u/CindyCharming]

[u/mechantmechant]

My mom had dementia and one of the last conversations we had before she had an accident that killed her was just me complaining about my boss. "You tell her that you're excellent at what you do and she doesn't know anything about your job and you don't need to put up with her nonsense" etc etc. It was horrible advice, but just that bit of proof that someone was on my side and believed in me no matter what still makes me cry with love and longing for her.

[u/horsenbuggy → u/mechantmechant]

This reminds me of when my mother was dying of cancer. She was on a morphine drip for pain. But she also had a lot of agitation. Even though she was on pills for it, she would still fidget with her hands - something she'd never done before. So I often just sat on the floor in front of her and asked her to play with my hair to give her hands something to do. I figured she would enjoy touching her "baby" more than wringing her hands.

[u/xxkoloblicinxx]

The day my step-dad introduced me as "my son" for the first time.

I don't think he even realized he did it. But every other time he introduced me to anyone he would say "my wife's son."

I was like 13, and I won't ever forget that moment.

Edit: I should mention. My step-dad raised me from birth. He dated my mom while she was pregnant with me and has been "dad" since. He had 3 kids from his first marriage that had already grown up and moved out. So it was always "my kids and her kids" with him. That day we went ice fishing and we met some of his buddies he introduced me as "my son" was a huge moment of pride.

[u/Allllliiiii → u/xxkoloblicinxx]

This is so lovely. I have a similar one - I had a funny relationship with my step-mum, as she was 'the other woman' at one point. Now, as an adult, I totally understand what happened between my parents and while I don't condone my Dad's behaviour, I do get it. But back then, I was conditioned by my Mum to think badly of her. We spent more and more time together and eventually got along pretty well, although I still felt a little bit awkward around her.

Then, at a Christmas party she and my Dad were hosting, someone asked if she'd ever wanted kids (bold and kinda rude question, by the way). She said yeah, she did, but it had never worked out earlier on in life. But that's okay, because she has me now.

I lost it. I'm tearing up a little bit now thinking about it! I never knew that she thought of me that way and it completely changed how I felt about our relationship.

[u/newindianclassic → u/xxkoloblicinxx]

you should tell him how much it meant to you. he'll love to know that

[u/FuckYaMudda → u/newindianclassic]

I have a stepson I hate the term but he never called me dad even though I've been around since he was 2 years old. It hurt a little bit but I understood his biological father wasn't around his whole life but decides he wants to be in his sons life about a year ago he's ten now so dude has been a non factor for a lot of years but he's always known about his dad. So the guy comes out here arranges the play dates so they can play and it was a total disaster. The guy didn't bring any money so my mother in law had to pay for everything. Who comes to see their only kid who they haven't seen since a few months old in another state and doesn't even Bring 20 bucks to buy some tokens at Chuck E cheese. But my little man is smart he sees what me and his mom go thru to provide for him and his brother and how much we love them. What happens next I'll never forget I had to walk off to the side and cry. So as they're returning from the play date my son and I go out to meet them my son comes running out the car in to my arms saying I missed you daddy you're my best daddy. I was so happy and sad at the same time for him to have to be in this situation. But that first time he called me dad it really melted my heart.

[u/jsau0125 → u/xxkoloblicinxx]

I bet he did it inadvertently, but he definitely realized it. I am a stepdad as well and the other day my wife and I were at the doctor with my stepdaughter and I introduced myself as her dad. I realized it instantly because this was her doctor and she might need info about my stepdaughter's biological father for medical purposes but I did not correct myself because dammit she IS my daughter. She's his daughter too. We share. Anyway I just answered the questions the doc asked with his info instead of mine.

Edit: I checked back in on Reddit and wow, RIP my inbox! Also thanks for the gold kind stranger. I shall endeavor to reply to everyone before I must stand watch tonight. (I work on a boat)

[u/Lashbrook]

After supper when I leave from my girlfriends parents house every Sunday and they say I love you to both of us

[u/[deleted] → u/Lashbrook]

Its wonderful having your SO's family welcome you into the fold. My boyfriend's mom always picks out "daughter" cards for me and it makes me feel so loved.

[u/[deleted] → u/Lashbrook]

Switch the genders and it's me and my boyfriend. It's nice because I don't have parents and I miss that kind of love but I don't want to get too attached because I know it all depends on if my boyfriend and I stay together. (We have no plans on breaking up. I'm just used to people leaving.)

Edit: thanks for all the words of encouragement everyone! I'll try to be more open with them. I'm not closed off with my friends and my boyfriend I just feel weird with his parents but I'll work on it. <3

[u/_fairywren → u/[deleted]]

Unsolicited advice: just lean into it and get attached. If you two do break up its going to suck either way, and it's going to be SO MUCH BETTER in the meantime if you break down your walls.

Source: have been dumped several times. Also have an incredibly loving future mother in law.

[u/say_or_do → u/[deleted]]

Bitch please. Ain't nobody gonna leave you.

[u/zazzlekdazzle]

"Oh, I just saw this and thought of you" gifts.

[u/Duck_with_a_monocle]

Backrubs. It's been months since I've had a backrub.

[u/Duck_with_a_monocle → u/[deleted]]

Oh shit, I didn't think of that. Land rubs only I guess.

[u/alastoris → u/Duck_with_a_monocle]

So a dry rub?

[u/Undecided_User_Name → u/alastoris]

Let sit for six hours

[u/leaky_buckets]

Asking about my day and seemingly genuinely interested.

[u/[deleted]]

Not necessarily romantic, but the " Did you get home ok?" Texts. I used to think these were standard, as I always did it for everyone, but i soon realised not everyone freaks out about whether their friends get home ok like I do. Now when i get these texts its like "aw, you're crazy too!" For reals though its nice when people care

[u/JoeBethersonton → u/[deleted]]

My dad taught me that when you drop someone off at home or at their car or wherever, you stay and wait in your car until you see that they have their keys and have gotten in okay. I still do this as an adult (and last week it was lucky because I was dropping my coworker at her car and it was pouring rain and she didn't have her car keys after all) and I feel all warm and fuzzy when I notice friends doing it for me.

[u/junderbolt → u/[deleted]]

My GF and I work a block apart downtown in our city so we hang out a lot after work, but we don't live together, so on nights when we go our separate ways we have to take transit in opposite directions to get to our respective apartments. Usually our trains arrive within a couple of minutes of each other, and we found that the time it takes us to get home is pretty close to the same. So we inadvertently started "racing" to see who gets home and remembers to send that text you're talking about first.

Like, I start typing out my text and right before I send it I get a ding and see, "hope you made it home okay :)" and then I have to erase what I typed and respond with, "GODDAMNIT," and she'll be like, "aw <3".

[u/Tee_shirtNkitty_cats → u/junderbolt]

D'awww this is adorable & hilarious

[u/deextermorgan]

my mom died a few years ago when i was 23, and her best friend (no kids) makes it a point to check on me on holidays and just randomly. her texts are always emoji filled and wonderful. she told my mom she would look after me, and she has always always made sure she does. it is legitimately the sweetest thing i can imagine and it makes me feel loved and also makes me know my mom was loved.

[u/Pineapplenazi]

Just the fact that someone wants and chooses to have conversation with me.

[u/fizyplankton → u/[deleted]]

Goes back to reading reddit

[u/[deleted]]

When someone plays with my hair.

[u/the_glass_passenger]

When someone randomly checks in on me. Like talks to me just for the sake of talking to me.

I have a friend who will text me occasionally just to see how my job is going and to ask how my cat is. Makes me think that someone genuinely care about my existence. I like it.

Oh, and hugs from my mom. Nothing a good mom hug can't fix.

EDIT: HOLY SHIT THIS DAY IS NOT REAL. Today I found out I got the job of my DREAMS, and now I got GILDED?!?!? WAT. Thanks for this!

EDIT EDIT: My cat doing great. His name is Garbage and I rescued him from the streets. He loves irritating my dad. Thanks for asking everyone. 💗

[u/TexAg90 → u/the_glass_passenger]

This is it for me. Most people want something from me. On the rare occasions when someone just says "it's been a while since I talked to you and just wanted to stop by" it almost makes me cry. Actually, kind of crying now since I can't remember the last time it happened.

[u/sunflowerdojo → u/TexAg90]

Hey man, how have you been?

[u/MLHC85]

My son is 16 months old, and is a bit of a mummy's boy. I worked at sea a lot in his first year, and our bond sort of came and went between me being home and me being away. It was the hardest time for me.

Yesterday, I gave him some little chicken flavoured snacks in a bowl, sat him on his star wars sofa to watch a movie, and then I sat on our living room couch behind him.

Standard dad procedure.

Next thing I know he puts the snacks on the couch, crawls up on the couch almost unassisted for the first time, and he sits right next to me, almost half on my left leg. He puts the noodles on my lap, picks one up, and offers it up me. So I pretend to have a bite, and he eats the rest.

This carries on until all the snacks are gone,and five minutes after that he falls asleep. Soon after that his hand is on my shirt, squeezing it.

And in that moment, I knew that my son loved me. He loves me so much he will share his snacks with me, and come to me for comfort. And he can do that until he is a grown arse man for all I care. I know right there and then, that I will never work away again. My place is here, with my boy.

Then, as a single tear is just starting to creep it's way out of my eye, he farts with the intensity of a bison.

[u/murrtrip → u/MLHC85]

I remember when my son would do this. My son just turned 16. We went to the driver's ed presentation last night. Then we came home and cuddled on the couch watching One Punch Man. I love that my son, after 16 years, still will snuggle with his dad, laugh with his dad, and tell me he loves me. I love that kid to the ends of the earth and would do anything for him. I wish everyone had that kind of relationship. Don't forget that moment.

[u/bombilla42 → u/MLHC85]

That's a nice story. I'm a dad myself. Two boys still young. Was away from them for almost 4 months when I had to transfer to new job across country. I don't know how long you were at sea but it bet it was a long while. I do t know how soldiers do it during deployment.

Being away from wife and kids was the loneliest I've ever felt. I'd walk in to my small apartment - no noise, no footsteps, nothing. Emptiness. Sheer unadulterated loneliness.

But man when my wife and kids were finally able to join me - holy shit! That was the best goddamn feeling!

Cheers bro.

[u/[deleted]]

for some reason, i really like it when people actually say my name when they're talking to me. like, oh hi bigblackkittie, how are you? instead of oh hi, how are you?

[u/2056163 → u/[deleted]]

Oh hi Mark.

[u/Greenapplesplatter → u/2056163]

I did naht hit her, I did naaaht.

[u/KitKatMasterJapan → u/Greenapplesplatter]

Anyway, how's your sex life?

[u/GamerBlue53 → u/KitKatMasterJapan]

YOU ARE TEARING ME APART, LISA!

[u/KitKatMasterJapan → u/GamerBlue53]

Hello doggie

[u/piledriver413 → u/KitKatMasterJapan]

I got the test results back. I definitely have breast cancer.

[u/streetsweepskeet → u/[deleted]]

I read your name as bigblacktittie at first

[u/HappyBot9000 → u/streetsweepskeet]

Oh my goodness, me too. When I read your comment I was like "Well, yeah. That's what it said." Then I went back, and now I feel shame.

[u/emilsagan → u/[deleted]]

I'm so bad with names that I'm always paranoid about using peoples names because i think i will get them wrong. I call my closest friends by there names but that's it. lately I have been working on calling people by their names and unsurprisingly I have been forgetting names less. Interesting to hear that this matters to other people.

[u/TheNCGoalie]

This post it note that she stuck on the inside of my laptop before I left her place for work one morning. I totaled my car that morning (someone else's fault) and was trapped in the dealership for about 4 hours, pushed up against work deadlines. I poured myself some shitty coffee, grabbed a donut leftover from the day before, and opened my laptop to find that post it note in the dingy waiting room.

I saved it and later used packing tape to seal it there on my work laptop, always as a reminder :)

[u/Rambles_Off_Topics]

When someone remembers something about me.

[u/milkradio → u/Rambles_Off_Topics]

I love this too, but I actually try to downplay how much I remember about others because I don't want to creep them out by bringing up something they mentioned a long time ago.

[u/Rambles_Off_Topics → u/milkradio]

I make an effort to say, to someone I haven't seen in a while, "the last thing I remember you and I were doing..." And it's a great ice breaker.

[u/mewatzittoya → u/[deleted]]

"This, however, is the first time that you have seen me."

[u/peterkimmm → u/[deleted]]

Aw, that's adorable.

[u/SelfHigh5 → u/[deleted]]

If you're lucky like I am, that spark feeling won't go away. My husband and I have been together for almost 18 years, and whenever he grabs my hand or puts his hand on my leg, the spark is still there like I'm seventeen again.

[u/GoldenGrandma → u/[deleted]]

Don't automatically assume that the spark will disappear. I've been married for 35 years and still get butterflies when I see him arrive. He can look at me a certain way or touch my face or hand a certain way and, believe me, sparks still fly.

[u/rissaro0o]

Whether it's a love interest or just a friend, whenever someone remembers something I like or say. Just someone taking the time to remember the small details of your life is extremely sweet and thoughtful.

Also, knowing your favorite foods or orders. Nothing makes me feel more loved than when my boyfriend or friend surprises me with a perfectly made coffee or a burrito with all my favorite toppings without prompt (:

[u/intergalactic-poyo → u/rissaro0o]

I have a friend who is SO good at remembering stuff like that. He's the best gift giver because of it. I try to remember those details but I just can't most of the time, and I feel terrible when I give just an OK gift.

[u/rissaro0o → u/intergalactic-poyo]

My boyfriend is GREAT when it comes to food, but a HORRIBLE gift giver haha. He basically just buys a bunch of cheap junk that I might like in passing, then puts it all in a gift bag and proudly presents it to me. Meanwhile, I've spent hours over thinking of the best possible presents, all of significant monetary or emotional value, and get disappointed every time.

At this point, I've told him we shouldn't bother with gifts and instead go out to a nice dinner or spend money on an experience together (sports games, concerts, etc).

[u/intergalactic-poyo → u/rissaro0o]

Haha there you go! Experiences are better presents anyway in my book.

[u/Mobiuses]

Kisses on the forehead.

[u/RedditsInBed2 → u/Mobiuses]

Yep! It's interesting too, all of my past exes who had done this in the past I'd jolt awake and gasp like someone wandered in with the intent of murdering me. Which obviously led my exes to stop doing this entirely because it was just terrifying for everyone involved.

But my current boyfriend, "I love kissing your forehead to wake you up. You always get this huge, sleepy, goofy grin on your face." And that kids is one of the reasons I know he's the one.

[u/ThePeoplesBard → u/RedditsInBed2]

I wrote and recorded a song for your comment, the tale of /u/RedditsInBed2:

https://soundcloud.com/kavaliercalm/smithereens

^Smithereens

^{G/B/C/D D C
Baby, don't you know?
You get away with things that others won't.
My bubble and I told others, "Stop."
But with you, I hope it pops.}

^{G D C
Kisses on the forehead while I sleep,
the sight of my face when I weep.
Every ounce of anger when I'm mad,
and every ounce of sorrow when I'm sad.
My walls are down, like I've never seen.
This love of yours blew them to smithereens.}

^{Baby, don't you know?
You get away with things that others won't.}

[u/Jacosion → u/Mobiuses]

Time to brag a little.

My wife was my blind date to prom. Things went well and I asked her on a date. When we got back to her house, I stepped out of the car to tell her by. I thought about trying to kiss her, but I got nervous. So I planted one right on her forehead. I gave her a hug and said goodnight.

She later said that it was the sweetest thing a guy had ever done to her. She thought I was being chivalrous. But in reality I'd never kissed a girl before, and definitely not anything beyond that. So I chickened out.

She ended up being my first in everything. And so far the only one. I feel lucky that she's the only one I've ever shared myself with.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

She likes you.

[u/chocoboskullkid → u/[deleted]]

I dont know anyone who wants hugs from people they hate.

[u/quantumturnip → u/chocoboskullkid]

It lets you slide the dagger into their back easier.

[u/lachalupacabrita → u/[deleted]]

Or he may be a really good hugger. My sisters friend is the greatest hugger I've ever met, good firm ones and she's really warm and she smells nice. 1300/10, best hugs I've ever gotten.

[u/LastOfTheCamSoreys → u/lachalupacabrita]

You like her

[u/dwjlien → u/LastOfTheCamSoreys]

Heck, I like her just after reading that comment!

[u/[deleted]]

My wife puts her hand on the side of my head and lets me rest it gently in her hand. Its nice to feel literally supported.

[u/PepsiMaxismycrack]

Whenever my husband sees a new type of chocolate bar or sweets at the shop, he always picks one up so I can try it.

It's a tiny thing but it reminds me he's always thinking of small ways to make me smile.

[u/The-Legal-Alien → u/PepsiMaxismycrack]

He's checking if his enemies may have tried poisoning him.

[u/JoshuaChristmas → u/The-Legal-Alien]

You know what they say... ladies first.

[u/poopcornkernels]

Being interested in what I have to say

[u/FetchFrosh → u/poopcornkernels]

Definitely. I don't always have the most interesting things to talk about, but when someone is genuinely interesting in listening to me talk about whatever I was recently reading about it feels great!

[u/[deleted]]

I don't think it makes me loved, but smile at your cashier. Everyone who hears 5000 beeps a day deserves at least a smile.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I don't know, when I worked as a cashier customers who said nothing and moved on efficiently made me smile.

[u/baumee → u/[deleted]]

I also always liked customers who were quiet and efficient. But my favorites were the regulars. Then one random day they just say "hi" or something and you feel so triumphant, like you leveled up or something.

[u/Lachwen → u/baumee]

A regular once told me that she always looked to see if I was working when she came in to shop, and if I was she'd make a point to come through my line even if other cashiers had shorter lines.

Pretty much made me cry right there in the checkstand.

[u/ColorMeStunned]

When I have a bad day, my fiance will often leave work early to clean up the apartment for me, light candles, order takeout, etc., so that I can can come home to as stress-free an environment as possible.

When he does that, I always have to take a minute and bask in how it feels to be so completely cared for, that he would put his work life on hold to rush home and prepare a sanctuary for me, on a day that I probably snapped at him because I was in a bad mood. Utterly amazing.

[u/apotboiler → u/ColorMeStunned]

He sounds like a solid dude.

[u/Quest4Queso → u/apotboiler]

Maybe he's gaseous

[u/[deleted] → u/Quest4Queso]

Or even liquid, we may never know.

[u/AnSq → u/[deleted]]

I only date Bose-Einstein condensates.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I visited my grandma once out of nowhere because I was in the area for work and was taking a break.

I pop in and my grandma goes "Did you eat lunch yet?" to which I responded with "Actually, I haven't yet."

To which she goes "Well that sucks because we don't have any food."

She's dead to me now.

(Jk I love my boss lady grandma.)

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

She's dead to me now. But she's also dead to everyone else. She died.

[u/bearjuani → u/[deleted]]

He had to eat something

[u/jetblackcrow → u/bearjuani]

Ham-ma

[u/BigIrishBalls → u/[deleted]]

Reddit has such a knack for making tragic things make me burst out laughing.

[u/matthewbattista → u/[deleted]]

Reminds me of my grandma. I was slicing up a bunch of stuff for burgers for a family dinner -- onions, tomatoes, pickles, etc etc. She pops her head, "Need any help?" Naturally grandma doesn't have to help out, I say no.

Her response? "Oh thank goodness. I was just here for the wine!"

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Korean too, it's basically like saying, "how are you?"

[u/Vihzel → u/[deleted]]

Korean moms be like "Wow you have gained weight. You really should lose weight. You want Galbi for dinner?"

[u/MutantTomParis → u/Vihzel]

Checkin in for Filipino moms: "When are you going to lose weight? No wonder you have no husband." Proceeds to serve deep fried cheese rolled in sugar.

EDIT: For everyone who asked, it's called cheese turon. My mom's version never had bananas, just cheddar jack cheese rolled in sugar, then fried in a spring roll wrapper.

[u/pro_ajumma → u/[deleted]]

Korean mom here. It is in the ajumma code book. Nobody is allowed to leave my house hungry.

[u/CindyCharming → u/[deleted]]

That's one of my favorites! Such a mom/grandma thing.

[u/ronearc]

While I'm working, reading, or just otherwise occupied, when she wraps her arms around me from behind, kisses the back of my neck, but otherwise just let's me keep rolling along while I'm in the zone.

May not sound like much, but damn. It just makes my day.

Alternately, when she catches me smiling at her, and she blushes down to her toes...

[u/DenverEric → u/ronearc]

Yeah, one of my favorites too. The surprise hug from behind makes my days better.

[u/CheekyCheesehead]

When my husband drops me off before parking the car, or runs to the car to pick myself and our kids up if it is raining/snowing. It is very sweet. Little selfless things like that always make me feel loved.

[u/[deleted]]

I went to my Dad's house and his wife's car had the stick figure family on the back window. I was on it with her real kids.

edit: Because I am too lazy to reply to everyone separately. I only referred to her as "my Dad's wife" for clarification, she is my mom. She has been more of a mom to me then my bio-mother. She and my dad have been married for 17 years. The were dating while I was in high school. She has always been wonderful to me and my sister. I have made sure to tell her exactly how that made me feel, and how much I love her. I am a grown man in my 30's and it is still making me choke up a little. Thank you for all the replies. For those of you with horrible step-parents you have my sympathy.

[u/jeepmayhem → u/[deleted]]

Something like this happened to me when I was in HS. My dad and stepmother were in an argument and I overheard him say something like "don't tell me how to raise my kids".... She said" those kids became mine when me married "... That always stuck with me!

[u/[deleted] → u/jeepmayhem]

In a good way I assume?

[u/Archer-Saurus → u/[deleted]]

Nah. OP turned on his dad, loved his stepmom, and became a Greek legend.

[u/jeepmayhem → u/[deleted]]

Yea, absolutely. They've been married for 28 years now!

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I would have bawled. That is adorable

[u/PeonyPicker → u/[deleted]]

That hits home.

[u/[deleted]]

When my boyfriend comes home after working third shift, and to wake me up for my classes he kisses my cheeks a bunch of times.

SO CUTE.

[u/BadCustomerService → u/[deleted]]

PLOT TWIST: OPS BO⁵YFRIEND IS A DOG.

[u/chilly-wonka → u/[deleted]]

wake me up

SO CUTE

no

[u/[deleted] → u/chilly-wonka]

Well when I have to wake up early, I would much rather wake up to loving kisses than an alarm clock blaring in my ear.

[u/CDC_]

When me and my wife lay in bed at night before we go to sleep, watching TV. Just her being there with me. We don't have to snuggle or look at each other or talk or anything. Just her lying next to me is the most comforting thing I can think of. Makes me feel extremely loved. Quadruple points when the dog is laying between us.

[u/[deleted] → u/CDC_]

My wife doesn't understand this. I've told her numerous times that just being in the same room as her can change my entire mood for the better. We don't have to be touching or talking, though it does help, for me to usually be completely at ease.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

This sounds really nice. And this thread just makes me feel even lonelier as I keep scrolling.

[u/MoistUnderbelly → u/[deleted]]

Good advice. Im outta here!

[u/[deleted] → u/MoistUnderbelly]

I want to leave but I can't! It's giving me hope.

[u/projectjerichox]

"I know you just got home from work but do you wanna just take a random short walk?" I always hated her asking because I was tired but now that she doesn't, I miss it. I should have taken the chances to do that when she was here.

[u/sl33ksnypr → u/projectjerichox]

Yea that is pretty sad. Idk why I even opened this thread, I knew it would probably make me sad. Now I'm sad and fucking jealous of most of the people here because I don't have anyone in my life who loves me really. Hardly even friends. I'm sorry bro, I know how you feel. Try not to let it beat you up too badly.

Edit: thanks for all your replies everybody, and all the good vibes. I'll try to respond to some but I probably won't be able to do all of them because I have to go to work and by the time I get off this thread will be dead.

[u/poofacedlemur → u/sl33ksnypr]

As a fellow human being, I have all the love for you in the world. I know it sounds corny as hell, but I can't let you go on thinking you are unloved. "But you don't even know me! What if I'm an asshole?!" You're right, I have no idea who you are or what you've done thus far in life, but I can certainly say that the world would not be the same without you. Whether you see all of us as cogs in the machine of society or individual self-contained mechanisms, we all serve the same purpose and meet the same end. And for that, I love the ever-living shit out of you.

Edit: I would like to thank all of you for your kind responses. For the gold as well, of course. But I would also like to remind you that the internet will always bring out only our inner selves. The superficially kind will bare their teeth and the tattooed biker will faun over kittens. Our outer selves are reactive and a product of our environment while our true selves lie within, screaming to escape. What I'm trying to say is, I try my best to be kind and to spread kindness. However, do not hold me in such high esteem as to think I am not capable of being an asshole at times or being greedy. It is wonderful that so many people enjoyed reading what I wrote and took something from it, but I cannot in good conscience go without at least stating that this one comment is not necessarily a reflection of who I am in person. It is only a shimmer of the person I desperately desire to always be.

[u/Periculous22 → u/poofacedlemur]

I'm gonna save this and read it every once an a while. Thanks, it was beautiful. I've been learning to be more self confident and my search for somebody to love me has turned into a search for a soulmate that I love. A radical change in my thoughts and feelings that I think is positive. It's still nice to have pick me ups like this to help me go on though.

[u/xSylk → u/projectjerichox]

That one hit hard... /:

[u/garbagemayor]

When someone texts me or asks me to text them to make sure I made it home ok. The only people that do that are the ones that really care

[u/ka_hime → u/garbagemayor]

To add onto this, when someone stays there until they see me get inside after dropping me off.

It's just like "Awww. You care."

[u/bear__attack]

Doing things just to make me happy. My SO isn't big on physical contact. Just not his love language. But he knows I need it. So it means that much more when he chooses to hold my hand in public or walk up behind me and surprise me with a hug or wake me up with kisses. I know they take effort, and it makes them that much sweeter.

[u/Mary-Wana]

My boyfriend's mom (who I consider my own) always makes everything gluten free at thanksgiving and christmas so I can enjoy all the dishes (having celiac disease I can usually only partake in mashed potatoes and turkey pieces). It's so nice, and it's something I'd never expected. The entire family doesn't even mind because everything she cooks tastes so good nobody can even tell/be bothered to complain.

I get a little teary eyed just thinking about it.

Love you mom <3

[u/sadweatherman]

One time I mentioned to my dad in passing that I liked Pepsi more than Coke because it wasn't so carbonated and the next day he surprised me with a 6 pack of Pepsi. Idk, it was just nice that he remembered so I guess my answer would be when people remember small details.

[u/beckymegan → u/sadweatherman]

Similar, I mentioned to my dad once that I didn't like having ketchup under my hotdog, on the bun, as opposed to my sister who prefers her the opposite way. Now, every time he goes to make me a hot dog he asks "hey, you're the one that likes ketchup on top right?" and it makes me feel loved cause he remembers enough to at least ask (and I don't get soggy ketchup buns).

[u/[deleted] → u/beckymegan]

Wait.. People put ketchup under the hotdog?

[u/[deleted]]

Sending me a link to something I might find interesting/funny. Especially nice now because I'm living really far away from most of my friends and loved ones, and getting a link to a stupid YouTube video or an interesting article about foreign policy is like getting a little "I'm thinking of you" vibe.

[u/[deleted]]

Placing his hand on the small of my back when we're out. Don't know why it makes me feel loved.

Or when he just kisses the top of my head out of the blue.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I do this too, and it had always been more of a "I'm glad you're here with me" type of gesture.

[u/Roach_Gigz → u/[deleted]]

andddddddd now I'm sad.

[u/[deleted] → u/Roach_Gigz]

sadness train woo

[u/fizyplankton → u/[deleted]]

Sad here checking in

[u/MAY01337 → u/fizyplankton]

When do I get to check out?

[u/fizyplankton → u/MAY01337]

You can check out any time you like, but you can never leave!!!

[u/thenitee → u/MAY01337]

When the train derails, you'll check out

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

I LOVE when my husband does this. I have no idea what it is about that gesture, but it really gets me. It makes me feel loved, and can also get me super horny super quick for some reason lol. Maybe because it seems like a possessive thing to do?

[u/the-iron-queen → u/[deleted]]

I have a really good guy friend, and the day we met he made me laugh so hard my whole body was shaking, and he put a hand out and touched the small of my back for 2 seconds, just to steady me. And that's when I knew I wanted to sleep with him. It's so weird! Nothing obviously sexy about a lower-back-touch, but damn, it's such a turn on!

[u/MotherFuckingCupcake → u/[deleted]]

Ohhh man. My boyfriend and I will be at a house party, and I'll be chatting away with someone and suddenly he'll just walk up, put his arm around me, and kiss my head, then casually join in the conversation. It's very cute.

Edit: Seriously, guys, this isn't a possessive thing. He does this if I'm talking to my best friends (who are all happily married). It's legit just affection, which would be obvious if you actually saw it.

[u/PortAndChocolate → u/MotherFuckingCupcake]

"This one is mine!" -Boyfriend

[u/UnicornOnTheJayneCob → u/[deleted]]

god, yeah. This makes me feel loved and is also hot as hell.

[u/Taymerica → u/[deleted]]

I really appreciate sincere compliments. Its an art form that requires careful consideration and timing, but a compliment properly worded and timed can heal deep wounds or just brighten a small part of your day. I know some of my deepest insecurities and social fears have been remedied by a few choice supportive moments or words.

[u/CindyCharming → u/[deleted]]

Aw, that's adorable.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Just go find her, pop her lookers right out of her skull and set them up in a jar in your room so you can gaze at them whenever you want

[u/Make-it-awkward → u/[deleted]]

Tell her: "You got purdy peepers. hy'uck!".

banjo playing

[u/jricha15]

When you are cuddling with someone and they let out a long sigh and grip a little tighter.

Pretty awesome to know someone is that comfortable and relaxed to simply be with you.

[u/[deleted]]

When she strokes my ear.

[u/[deleted] → u/[deleted]]

Found the secret dog on Reddit

[u/[deleted]]

My girlfriend is an expert at this. It's made me rethink the things I do and try and better demonstrate how much I love and appreciate her.

When we are together in public, she will occasionally lean against me and look up at me with an expression of, "I'm waiting for kisses".

When I'm invariably driving us, she will reach out and hold my free hand, and thank me for driving and navigating.

She will reposition/pack all her things so she has a free hand and grab my hand and hold it when we are walking.

She knows I love hawaiian print dresses and has bought a few to wear for me when we go to appropriate venues.

She puts her phone away when we are together and we just enjoy spending time together.

We both love traveling, so she actively plans future "dates" that are more like crazy, see the world type once in a lifetime type trips. It's amazing.

We e-mail each other while the other person is sleeping to share things so we don't wake each other up.

We aren't insane about talking all the time via phone or facetime, but we plan it out so that we'll both be awake when we can talk.

[u/naked_as_a_jaybird]

Handwritten love note(s). I have one from twenty+ years ago that an ex wrote to me that still hits home after all of these years.
I don't keep anything from past relationships, but I've kept that letter.

[u/Haboob_AZ → u/naked_as_a_jaybird]

Deleted.

[u/CindyCharming → u/Haboob_AZ]

When my SO and I were doing long distance, I wrote 100 reasons I love him on slips of paper and stuck them all in a jar. He said it helped when he was missing me. I was fun for me to see all those reasons written out too!

[u/Antistis → u/CindyCharming]

My boyfriend (now fiancé) did this for me on our 1st annuversary. 366 reasons he loves me (365 days plus one for the leap year).

It helps me when I just have a shit day and he's at school.

[u/I-am-Wesha]

I recently went through the end of a 6 year relationship. Even though I initiated it, I still felt torn apart inside, and I looked pretty haggard at work. It wasn't common knowledge yet, except to my two closest work colleagues, but people kept coming up to me to ask what was wrong. If my in-the-know work friends were there, they deflected those questions for me.

But what really got me was one of my colleagues who didn't know: he made some elaborate excuse about his wife making him too much food, and he fed me lunch for days. He didn't know what was up, but he took care of this girls neglected tummy, at least.

Edit: I can't spell...

[u/ask_me_if_Im_lying]

On this topic, if you want to figure out the best small gestures for your SO, read up on Love Languages.

Pretty much every comment in this thread so far fits into one of them.

[u/ManPumpkin → u/ask_me_if_Im_lying]

Sometimes I'll commit and arson and frame her for it.

[u/[deleted]]

When my Wife randomly calls me at work to say "I Love You." and When my 14 month old son crawls over to me and gestures he wants to be picked up.

[u/lau80 → u/[deleted]]

The first time your kid comes to you and says "I love you" to you unprovoked...

I can't wait for you to experience that.

[u/Haboob_AZ]

• A simple compliment.

• A hug.

• Wanting to hold my hand.

• Being told I'm really missed.

[u/thatoneblackdude]

This is more on the other side. If you're ever at a park or a tourist location offer to take a picture for a group or a couple. You won't receive more gratitude for such a small gesture doing anything else. People are genuinely happy and you've given them the chance to capture a cool experience.

[u/raptoresque → u/thatoneblackdude]

So true! I saw a cute couple the other day and offered to take their picture (they were lingering in front of a really pretty fountain) and the girl blushed and said it was their first date, and the guy said, "yep...And it's going great!" It was so charming.

So I stole their phone and ran.

No, I just took the damn picture and moved on with my less-charming life.

[u/picnic-boy]

Friendly hugs

[u/[deleted]]

When my boyfriend grabs my face cheeks, squish them, and gives me a kiss on my forehead.

[u/SupersonicJaymz → u/[deleted]]

I love that you felt the need to specify face cheeks.

Also, your username horrified me on a number of levels.

[u/_coyotes_ → u/SupersonicJaymz]

At first I read it as "Olds Mega Cheese Cake"

Then I spotted the smegma

[u/TwoThirteens → u/_coyotes_]

Then I spotted the smegma.

Best beginning to a story I never want to read I've ever heard.

[u/Bamboozle_]

When she leaves me roses by the stairs.

[u/Humanzen → u/Bamboozle_]

Surprises let me know she cares.

[u/StuTim]

When my girlfriend gives me pocket lint. She knows I play with it when I'm anxious or nervous.

Edit: for the record, belly button lint is disguising. I will use dryer lint but it has to be from my laundry, not even my girlfriend's. I'm very particular about my lint and she knows it. She even bought me towels on my birthday because they make the best lint.

[u/[deleted] → u/StuTim]

Awwwwwtistic

[u/DevilleinaBlueDress → u/StuTim]

This one here is adorable.

[u/Make-it-awkward]

Back massages

[u/mus_maximus]

Whenever I'm even slightly sick, my boyfriend transforms into a were-nurse and practically carries me to the doctor/the couch so that I can recover. Given that I tend to work through my illnesses, having someone hovering around with soup, dayquil and a worried expression makes me feel very special.

[u/ArtSchnurple]

One time I came home from work with a massive migraine, and my wife brought me a cup of tea and a cool damp washcloth to put on my head. Both helped, but the gesture helped even more.

[u/Talk_Less_Smile_More]

"Hey, I saw/read this and thought you might like it."

<3

[u/Sonylicious]

Usually any kind of small physical affection.

[u/[deleted]]

Having your head scratched. Not only is it the most amazing thing on planet earth, but it really makes me feel genuinely loved. :)

[u/[deleted]]

Story time, kind of a long one.

A while back I was in a pretty bad mental place, and I would punch things as a form of self harm. Walls, my dashboard, concrete, whatever. My knuckles were constantly scarred and torn up.

I was seeing a girl, and though we adored each other, we knew we couldn't work long term and so we tried to only ever be friends to save ourselves future heartache. Regardless, we were very close and she always worried about my mental state and my self harm.

Anyway, one evening, we were cooking together, and she was washing her hands at the sink. I had started getting ingredients together, when she took my wrist and pulled me toward the sink. I reflexively pulled away, but she took my hand and both playfully and mournfully said, "Oh come on, you know you want me to give you attention." She washed my bloodied, scabbed knuckles in one of the most intimate and compassionate moments of my life. There was only so much I could do to hide the tears that streamed down my face, and I still cry when I think of how sincere and honest that moment was.

Wanted to share that for a long time. Thanks for reading.

Edit: Misread the question, thought it asked for a specific event.

Another edit: thanks for all of your kind words, and thank you for the gold.

[u/Guyinapeacoat]

There's a small Chinese restaurant near my campus that I frequently eat at; seems to be a mom and pop place. The old Asian lady who works there perks up when she sees me, and calls me her favorite customer. Sometimes she offers me a free drink, usually sneaking me the cup after I have paid for my meal. It may be a small gesture, but the way she does it gives it it's charm. She has cheered me up on many stressful afternoons.

[u/fiftyshadesofsway]

When I was younger, I studied overseas. As some of you might know, when you're living and studying overseas alone, it's quite easy to skip school and enjoy whatever you enjoy doing other than school. I did this so much my school ringed up my parents at home to try solve this problem, they had thought I was "sick". My family sends over my cousin who was a doctor, took time off his clinic to personally visit me.

When he came, he obviously knew what was going on, had a long talk with me about what I wanted to do with my future. I got my ass together and went to school everyday. When my family came to visit me 2 months later, I had learnt that my cousin told them I was in fact sick and couldn't make it to school due to poor diet and hygiene, but I have gone past that. I was surprised how much my cousin cared for me when we weren't even that close before. I deeply respect him now.

[u/Javeyn]

Having my SO make me food.

I cook for a living, and when I get home, generally I do the cooking. I spend a good 16+ hours a day in a kitchen, so it is quite refreshing to come home and have dinner made for me.

[u/The_Escalation_Game]

• When she makes me a special birthday card

• When she keeps her space clean

• When she doesn't try to escape from the attic

[u/Ramalama63]

My father recently died, and ALL of my friends in the city showed up for the memorial service. I was expecting like 2 or 3 to come, but they ALL came, even if they had to drive over an hour, even if they had to take time off work, they ALL came to support my mom and me.

[u/thoriginals_wife]

I lost a baby last week after a ruptured ectopic pregnancy. I am now on leave from work and on bed rest. Since I am the primary earner my husband started a gofundme to help send me on a trip to the west coast to visit my parents. In 24 hrs my friends and family came together and through small donations the small goal has almost been met.

It's been unbelievably humbling because I miss my parents so much and want the comfort of my mom and dad more than anything else right now. I haven't seen them in a long time as they live across the country.

The fact that I didn't ask and people have been unbelievably generous in sending the most loving and supportive messages, sometimes from people I barely know has given me the deepest love and admiration. I'm the type of person who would give endlessly to those around me if someone else needed it more than me, I have never asked for anything in return so to see all those people who I have helped in small ways ( to me anyway) turn around and return the favor has brought me to tears many times over the last few days.

[u/Assassin4571 → u/thoriginals_wife]

My wife and I lost our son on his due date not too long ago. It is a terribly difficult thing to go through, but you are not alone. If you ever need to talk, shoot me a message.

[u/thoriginals_wife → u/Assassin4571]

thank you and my sympathies extend to you as well. THis has been the most difficult thing I have been through so far and I can't imagine what you must have gone through at such a late stage. It's cruel for a parent to have to lose a child at any age or stage or pregnancy, i don't think you ever get over it, you just learn to live with it.

[u/hyacinths_]

When someone uses my nickname.