Those three words are said too much, but not enough

Recently, I've been pondering the word love. I'm a big fan. I use it a lot, maybe too much. It's like mayonnaise; the more I slap it on my sandwich, the more tasty it gets and the more I want to use it.

I just love lots of things. I know with absolute certainty that I love the cold, bubbly fizz of Dr. Pepper sliding down my throat. I know I love a good sweat, the achy feeling in my thighs when I finish a long run. I love napping in my car with the sun beating down on me. I love reading a good book, or blogging. I love laughing until my stomach hurts and I love singing at the top of my lungs. There are many things I say that I love. But I'm not sure if they are all worthy of the word.

Maybe I'm not making sense.

Obviously, I understand there are different kinds of love. I don't love my mom with the same kind of love I have for fried shrimp or Forrest Gump. I don't love my favorite pair of jeans like I love to write.

They're different.

My problem is not that I love too many things, or maybe I do. Rather I say I love all of them. Am I using this phraseology too flippantly?

Shouldn't I have a different expression for the plethora of things that I enjoy?

Shouldn't my vocabulary be more extensive, or is it okay to claim to love all these things?

I love my little brother, and I'm ridiculously fond of office supplies.

I love to write, and I admire the way a tempurpedic mattress feels.

I love my friends, and I care about the random girl who complimented my hair last Tuesday.

See? It's different.

I don't want to cheapen the word.

I find myself saying "I love you" to people as I hang up, write on their facebook page, or say goodbye. It's casual, routine, and almost shallow. Granted, I don't mean it that way.

I guess I'm just going to be more conscious of my love usage. I don't want it to be something I say out of habit, or merely because I lack the imagination or will to come up with a better vocabulary term. If I say I love something, I want it to carry weight. I don't want you to be comparing yourself to the ridiculous amount of lard on my sandwich or the Dr. Pepper in my hand, if I tell you "I love you." Because as much as I like mayo or soda, I'm confident I love you a whole lot more.