i told my mom i loved her today for the first time in 7 years. she didn’t say it back.

r/

i didn’t really plan to. it just came out.

we were in the kitchen, and i was helping her with dinner. she was complaining about the salt, like always. i don’t know what got me — maybe i was just tired of carrying everything in silence.

i looked at her and said:

“i love you, you know?”

she didn’t stop what she was doing. she didn’t look at me. she just kept stirring.

nothing.

no “i love you too.”

no smile.

not even a glance.

just silence.

it’s been 7 years since i last said those words to her. and maybe even longer since she said them to me.

i walked out pretending i had to take a call. i didn’t. i just didn’t want her to see me cry.

i don’t know if i expected a movie moment. but i definitely didn’t expect … nothing.

anyway. thanks for letting me get that out.

Comments

  1. Divinaria Avatar

    damn that silence must have felt like a punch to the gut sending you a virtual hug internet stranger sometimes love isnt spoken its shown but that doesnt make it hurt any less hope you feel a little lighter getting that off your chest

  2. Rimuru_The_Junior Avatar

    Do you have a strained relationship with her before you said it?

  3. the_correct_guy Avatar

    Expectations causes hurt. You did what you wanted to do. Expecting a certain kind of reaction is just unrealistic.

  4. leethulu Avatar

    as someone who also has a mother who is cold and distant my entire life, i feel you so incredibly hard and i am genuinely so very sorry that you have to endure this. unfortunately its a burden we get stuck with and then they wonder why we dont talk to them. my mother never said i love you to me or hugged me, she would cringe away everytime i would try. youre not alone 🫂❤️