ILY
June 5th, 2012
When my brother and I were kids, my mom used the ASL sign for “I love you” (hand, palm facing out; thumb, pointer finger, and pinky all extended; middle finger and ring finger folded down to touch the palm—a combination of the signs for the letters I, L, and Y) all the time with us. When Annalie was old enough, I taught it to her. We use it with each other as a way of checking in, of saying, “Hey, I’m glad you’re alive!” or “Remember that no matter how much I’m annoying you right now, I’m doing the best I can and I care about you.”
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One of my big brothers is deaf and the ILY is a fixture in our family history. We’ve all passed it on to our children. We use it as a greeting, we use it to wave goodbye, we intertwine hands with it when we see each other in person… It’s always been a HUGE joy for me when my babies learn it. I love ILY! :)
Just remembered I have a video of Anna Sofia doing it on YouTube. Just had to share! (She is now 6 and going into first grade) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJr5yB1D6ts&feature=g-upl
That’s our hand signal too — used as they get on the bus, or catch our eye during a performance, or whatever. Works well so the kids don’t have to say it out loud where their friends can hear them, but they know what it means. My son doesn’t care yet, but my 11yo girl has reached that age. Sigh.
I did not know that was the sign for I love you. I saw this in your feed and thought Annalie was doing hang loose. Der.
And also ILY = I love you. I just got it. Double DER!
We use ILY too. :)
Aww!! I may have to teach my kids that one, although I think Kaylie knows it from school. :)