When you are appreciated by someone

“I appreciate you” is a respectful form of praise. Something like “I see you. I am grateful for what you do. I notice it. I notice you. I consider you valuable.” If I had a friend and we went to have dinner together and she said “I appreciate you” I would be very touched. It’s a lovely thing to say to someone. I appreciate you is a wonderful term of endearment, but it does feel a bit ambiguous. I know. The meaning, however, is exactly as implied. They appreciate you for what you do for them, or how you make them feel. If you appreciate them, say it back.

They value your friendship, your loyalty, your generosity, kind words, whatever it is you bring to the table in this relationship. There is a fondness for the way you make them feel. Appreciation may coexist with love, but may not denote it. I may day this to close friend who I love and admire that helps me without asking whenever I need help. I may also tell someone who is pouring themselves into me, and showers me with gifts that I appreciate them. This may or may not denote that I have reciprocal feelings for them. It just means I acknowledge their giving their all, whether I have the desire, drive, or capability to return the tokens of affection.

Look for other cues in the relationship. Is this a I appreciate you "and...", or an "I appreciate you but..."? Either way they are thanking you for being there, or for your generosity. You apparently are a very kind person who treats them well. They see this, they appreciate this, and did not want your kind nature or actions to go unnoticed. Sometimes we don't tell people enough how we feel, sometimes we can't. There may be circumstances beyond the other person's knowledge as to what is happening in our life. As long as you are willing to give without strings attached, there will always be those who appreciate you. Not everyone will tell you though. Not every relationship feels equal on both sides of the equation. However, someone who expresses their appreciation respects your efforts, and wants you to know this.

Although "I appreciate you" did not express more feelings on their end, it did not hurt feelings on yours. Never give with the expectation to get. Never hold what you choose to do freely for someone over their head if they don't return favors as expected. Be yourself and enjoy being appreciated. The fact that you are appreciated be enough for you. If you do not feel as appreciated, and your expectations not being fulfilled, then it is your decision what to do on your end. Pay attention to more than words. Don't let your expectations get in the way. Let your relationships unfold naturally, and don't force them, or rush them. Above all, be honest, and maintain open communication.

There is nothing wrong for asking for the same. If you feel you need to know where a relationship stands with a romantic interest, there is no harm in expressing your confusion to clarify the ambiguity. It is either forward, backward, or holding pattern. If the answer remains ambiguous, then you got part of your answer, not forward.  I appreciate the things that you do for me or a simple thank you. It's an equivalent to saying namaste. So when someone says I appreciate you they are saying that they appreciate you as a person deeper then a simple presence of you. It means they recognized the energy and soul of Who You Are and they appreciate your existence in their life.

Think of the people in your life who you appreciate the most. A parent? Family member, teacher, friend, the stranger who returned your lost wallet or iPhone? We appreciate those who validate us and make us feel valuable. Perhaps as a woman she appreciated a male companion who took interest in her company for who she was. I'm going to guess she felt valued and respected by you. I imagine your easy company may have done wonders for her self esteem or confidence. Especially if she kept past company with those who flaunted inflated egos. I'm going to also guess you gave her an outstanding experience of her company as being worthy.

I bet you reminded her that her thoughts and opinions mattered and were even interesting. By spending and enjoying precious moments of your life with her, she saw her worthiness. Who could ever thank you, remember you, or appreciate you enough? Please continue to be the gentleman you are. Before long someone who is available will undoubtedly experience your gift of being able to see, hear, and appreciate the woman before you. There is just not enough of this kind of communication going on in the world. If there were, we would probably be a far more peaceful planet.

She is acknowledging you. She appreciates who you have been to her. She is saying "Who you are and what you have done for me has made a difference in my life." It's truly lovely and he fact that she stopped and made sure you heard that is just spectacular. Maybe you can pay it forward and tell someone whose actions and friendship have meant something to you that you appreciate them.

You can specifically acknowledge what you appreciate. For instance, "I just want to acknowledge you for always being there for me, for being a loyal friend, for always making me laugh when I need to stop taking my life so seriously, etc."It's a love thing. It's a good thing. I'm so happy to see this amidst all the angst born of people not appreciating each other. You made my day! Cheers!