the power of words

Do you remember your first word? I don't remember the first word I ever spoke, but I do remember the first word I ever spoke on stage. It was "hi" Probably not the most powerful word out there, but kind of a natural one when you're making an introduction. I'd like to think my subsequent words have had an impact, and I suppose they have - well, at least for me. I am still doing stand up comedy so that says something.
But this got me thinking. About words. They're pretty powerful.
How about this: do you remember the first time someone (other than your mom) said "I love you"? It's pretty powerful - and can send you to the moon - especially if you feel the same way about them.
it's a whole lot different though, when someone says that to you and you don't feel that way. then the powerful word of that moment is 'AWKWARD'. This happened to me once. After he said it, I found myself trying to find a way to get out of the car without his knowing, and without hurting his feelings. That was awkward, and the more I tried to find the 'powerful' words to let him know I didn't feel the same way, the more awkward the situation got. As you might have guessed, he doesn't have much to do with me these days.
But, to be fair, I have also been in his situation. I was dating a guy that I thought was special (oh, he was special all right - especially two-timing). I remember that perfect moment:
We had just finished another perfect kiss. I was aware that my heart was hammering loudly, and how his breath smelled, how soft his lips were, and as he pulled his face away, and I looked into his blue eyes and those dark lashes, I was overwhelmed with the very sense of him. How much I was aware of him, and how much I wanted this moment to go on and on forever. And then I said it, that overwhelming feeling that started in the pit of my stomach as butterflies, spread through my hammering chest and out my lips in an expression of warmth and love as I breathed out "I love you." I looked in his eyes, and saw as the words registered there. He was shocked. suprised. stupefied. He stared at me, and I stared back and in that moment (that eternally long moment)I waited for his response, and as his eyes looked deeper and deeper into mine, I felt the uptake of his breath, and then he said it: "that's nice."
I think about that now and it still makes me smile. A romantic moment ruined by the power of words:)