Can we please STOP with the “I love you to the moon and back?”

I’ve been wanting to write this blog commentary for a long time now, but I didn’t want to offend anyone or for anyone, in particular, to think I was calling them out. Every time I was ready to unleash my keyboard, one of my Facebook friends would post something saying they loved someone to the moon and back. Why is it that, as humans, we feel the need or are compelled to be herded around like a bunch of cattle? When someone does or says something unique, eventually we all start doing it. I am here to draw the line with expressing your love to someone.

Although I’ve never been there, I realize that to the moon and back is a really far, far way to travel. I know this is an excellent way to express someone’s great love for someone else… to be able to quantify just how much love you have for someone. But, if you really, really, really do love someone, give them their very own quantification. Don’t just verbally vomit the same crap everyone else is saying. 

You have a completely unique love with your wife, your husband, your children, and your friends. You share a private and intimate, distinctive set of circumstances that no one else in the world can take part in. There are literally billions of pieces to the story of your love: happiness, sadness, fear, exchanged glances, soft touches, hope, excitement, sadness, madness, disappointment, secrets, loyalty, hugs… and I could go on and on, but I think you get my point. No one, no matter who they are or how close they are, understands what the love between you and [insert the special someone here] entails. Why, oh why, would you want to cover that love in a blanket term as loving them to the moon and back? They deserve something as unique as the love they share with you.

I’ve heard some really good ones recently:

• There’s no one in the world I’d rather be too cold or too hot with. —This is Us, NBC®
• I love you river deep and mountain high. —CeCe Evans, Facebook

I Do Not Love You to the Moon and Back

When I tell my girls that I love them I say, “I love you honey bunches of oats!” It’s mine. I made it up… well, with the help of Post®… to express my own dying, unique love for my daughters. The three of us are made with crunchy whole grains and we are nutritional for each other. No one else can or will love them as I do. So, I express my love like no one else can or will. They deserve this.

I would step in front of a speeding bullet. I would rip my beating heart out of my chest and bury it in yours. I would give up the rest of my days on Earth if it meant you could have one more. I love you all the days of my life, with every breath I take, with every thought I think, and with every wish I make. But, I DO NOT LOVE YOU TO THE MOON AND BACK.

“I love you honey bunches of oats.”

Mom

So, if we want to share trendy phrases like “throwing shade” or “probs not,” that is perfectly fine and dandy with me. But PLEASE, for the love of Elvis and glazed donuts, find your own unique way to express your love for someone special. They deserve it.

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Let’s “hangout!” I wanna hear about your love story!

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I am absolutely in love with capturing the kinds of weddings where there are more hugs than handshakes, the dance floor rumbles all night long, and chairs are pretty much rendered useless after dinner. Whiskey bottles are passed around, most of the wedding party has been best-best friends since kindergarten, Grams is likely to lose her shoes and your partner is much more emotional than you are. These kinds of weddings are my jam!

You can always call or text, but if you really want to get to know me, schedule a meetup!

I started Ata-Girl Photography Co., LLC in 2010. I firmly believe that the unique set of circumstances I have faced in life has prepared me to take a personal and genuine interest in my photography clients. I enjoy documenting the important milestones and captivating moments in people’s lives. I love being a part of people’s journeys and consider myself privileged to document their legacies.

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I am a published author (purchase my book here), a podcast host (listen here) (watch here) and a WPPI-C certified professional, full-time wedding photographer. I specialize in a 10-day image delivery, same-day prints, same-day slideshows, Italian handcrafted wedding albums and I have a mobile meeting space.

When I’m not behind my camera, you can find me hiking, cycling, backpacking, camping, enjoying water sports, listening to music (Elvis and Prince), hunting for arrowheads, reading audiobooks, occasionally eating a few glazed donuts (my only weakness to sweets) and then re-starting my keto diet about every 10 days. The most important things in life are for me to see my two daughters happy and to create a family history my grandparents and grandson would be proud of.