Most people believe there will always be more time to say what matters, to reach out, to make things right. But time moves quickly, and the moments we take for granted often slip away without warning. That’s why, in a recent class, I challenged my adult students to face this truth head-on.
The assignment
I gave them a simple but demanding task: Find someone they love — someone they’ve never told, or haven’t told in a long time — and say “I love you” before our next session. This may sound simple, but remember that most students were over 35 and were raised in a generation where emotional expression was often considered inappropriate. They were taught to suppress their feelings, never to cry or reveal vulnerability. So for some, the assignment wasn’t just difficult — it was deeply unsettling.
At the start of our next session, I asked if anyone wanted to share their experience. I was secretly expecting a woman might volunteer, as is often the case. But this time, a man raised his hand. His voice was steady, but there was a visible weight in his expression — something between deep emotion and quiet fear.
He stood up and began to speak.
“When you gave us that assignment last week, I was angry. I didn’t think I had anyone to say those words to. And besides, who were you to ask me to do something so personal? But as I was driving home, something inside me wouldn’t stay quiet. A voice kept whispering: You know exactly who you must say it to. Five years ago, my father and I had a falling out. Since then, we’ve barely spoken. We only saw each other at Christmas or the occasional family gathering, and even then, we hardly exchanged more than a few words. Last Tuesday, I decided to tell my father I love him. The moment I made that decision, it felt like a weight lifted off my chest.”
He paused, gathering himself, then continued.
“I rushed home and ran inside to tell my wife. She was already asleep, but I woke her up anyway. When I told her what I planned to do, she wrapped her arms around me, and for the first time since we got married, I cried. We stayed up late, talking and drinking coffee. It was one of the best nights of my life.”
The power of love
The next morning, I was full of energy. I barely slept, but I felt amazing. I arrived at work early and accomplished more in two hours than I usually do in an entire day. At nine o’clock, I called my dad. I asked if I could come by after work. He grunted, “What’s this about now?” I told him it wouldn’t take long. After a moment’s hesitation, he agreed. At five-thirty, I pulled into my parents’ driveway. I sat there momentarily, praying he would answer the door — because if my mother came instead, I knew I’d lose my nerve and ask her to pass along the message.
Thankfully, it was my dad. When he opened the door, I stepped inside and said: “Dad, I just came to tell you… I love you.” His whole face changed. The tension dropped from his shoulders, his wrinkles seemed to smooth away, and then — he cried. He hugged me tightly and said: “I love you, too, son. I’m sorry I never told you that.” My mother came over in tears. I bent down and kissed her. My dad and I hugged again. Then I left. And for the first time in years, I felt a true sense of peace.
But that’s not the end of the story.
The importance of seizing the moment
He paused again, his voice trembling. “Two days later, my father died suddenly from a heart condition — one he’d never mentioned to me. I had no idea. That’s why I’m telling you all of this. If you know there’s something you need to say, don’t wait. Had I hesitated, I would have missed my chance. So spend your time doing what your heart knows is right. Do it now.”
As he finished speaking, the room was still. No one moved, no one breathed for a moment — each of us lost in our thoughts, reflecting on the words we’d just heard. His story wasn’t just about reconciling with his father; it was a reminder to all of us that love isn’t something we can afford to take for granted.
Love must be expressed bravely. We all have people in our lives who need to hear those three simple but powerful words — whether it’s a parent, a friend, or even someone we’ve lost touch with. The time to express love is now, not tomorrow, not when it’s convenient, but in the present moment.
Because sometimes, life doesn’t wait. And neither should we.
Translated by Katy Liu
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