"Love Ya" vs. "Love You"

This post is for all the women people out there who want to know if there is a difference between the phrase "Love Ya" vs. "Love You."

Well, you're in the right place.  And you know what?  I'm going to spare you the expense:

Yes.  There is most definitely a difference between Love Ya  vs. Love You.

You're free to go.  It was a one question test and I just gave you the answer.  No tricks.  No fine print.

.................


Wait.  Still here?  Well then!  Allow me to elaborate:


First Thing First
Let me answer the question you really came here for:

Yes.  (Again.)  Not only is Ya different from You, the fact that Love has sneaked into the daily vocabulary definitely means there's something amiss.

But hold on!  Pump the breaks!

Don't go out planning that White Picket Fence just yet! (Or running away screaming -- whatever the case may be.)


"Love Ya" is meant to show that he does, in fact, like you more than he did in the beginning of the relationship.

BUT

As my folks would say, "Ya ain't there yet."


We still cool?  Cool.

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, please, by all means:  Feel free to celebrate!  You have, by the way, moved to a different "level" in the relationship.


......

Feel better?  Awesome!  Now ... sit back down.  You knew this part was coming:  "Love Ya" is not "Love You."   (Otherwise, ya wouldn't be here, now would ya?)

"Love Ya"
"Love Ya" is a Step, the the Next Step really, but it is not what you're hoping for.  There's still more work to do.

Graphically, you can think of "Love Ya" as this:

You have to understand that us men are more subtle in our expression of emotion:  we have to be.  It's a cultural thing.

"Love Ya" is our way of "trying on" The L-word.  We gotta' kick the tires a little bit, see how it holds up.  So now is not the time to freak out:

• "You love me!?"
• "You want to meet my parents!?"
• "You want to get a dog together!?"

The answer to these questions are No, No, and No.  And if you ask these questions again, we'll be glad we tried on the L-word, because we're taking it back and getting a full refund.

So:  take a deep breath, relax, and Realize: you are now in the top 10% relationship-transition bracket.

Congratulations.

"Love You"
This is as serious as you think it is.  The phrase "Love You" from a man is about as rare and mysterious as a politician following through on a promise.
 
You have to understand that to a man, the phrase "Love You" has always represented the following:

Understandably, hearing this phrase means you've accomplished at least one of the following:

1. Made it through multiple football games and correctly identified no less than two (2) players.
2. Made a T-bone steak and mashed potatoe meal "just because."
3. Laughed consistently enough at his jokes to make him believe he's actually funny (we'll take all the pitty you're willing to give).

Yeah, I know ... it's a pretty big deal.

But seriously, the "I Love You" gig is as big a deal for him as it is for you, hard as that may be to believe.

Cherish it, it's a real gift.  (Note:  "gift" mileage may vary.)


"Love Ya" vs. "Love You" Stages in a Nutshell
Wuzzup? I can't remember your name.
See Ya Later Still can't remember your name, but you seem cool.
See Ya Later, Man Still can't remember your name, but I'm definitely going to work on it now.
Love Ya It just took me three hours of contemplation to say that, you better appreciate it.
Love You Usually comes after the non-rejection of the "Love Ya" phase. Congratulations, you are now part of .0001% of the population in their lives. 
                Note:  This phase does not necessarily guarantee that they have, yet, figured out your name.  Be patient.

And there you have it, the official difference between the phrases "Love You" vs. "Lova Ya" (Be aware that "official" can have a wide interpretation.)

Hope this post cleared everything up.  In fact, if it did:

DON'T FORGET TO LEAVE A COMMENT!

See Ya Later,
The Shade-Tree Psychologist

*Note:  If you are a woman, there is absolutely NO difference between "Love Ya and Love You."   The term "love" is used broadly to express feelings for a multitude of things, such as friends, family, enemies, coats, puppy clothing, fingernail polish, etc.