The language of love must be confusing. Because everywhere you turn, there’s a new book or a magazine article that’s trying to explain it or improve on it.

The self-help writers stress the importance of communicating. Making sure the person you love really understands your message. Depending on your age, you may have to shout.

One of the latest books to hit the stands says there are 10,000 ways to tell someone you love them.

I combed through that book and found that they had forgotten one. At least, one that I experienced 35 years ago. So, make that 10,001 ways to say I love you.

Step One. Ask the woman you love if she’ll marry you. This can be in an elegant restaurant or the backseat of your car.

Step Two. Pause to romantically kiss her as you gently help her from the vehicle, closing the car door behind her.

Step Three. Listen closely to her emphatic response. It may sound confusing.

Step Four. Quickly remove her mangled left hand from the closed door.

Step Five. Assure her that you’ll have even more time to save for a VERY big diamond.

Fortunately, the meaning of the marriage proposal is still there. You’re both in love. But perhaps you should let your sweetheart shut the car door herself. Since many women are shutting their car doors nowadays, this method of proposing marriage must be more common than I thought.

Through the years, like all married couples, we’ve looked for ways to express our love. One book suggests that partners plan a quiet dinner several days in advance. Please note that a trip through the drive-through without the kids doesn’t count. Instead, arrange a time and place for a date in the near future.

We tried that, but by the time the day arrived, we ended up in different restaurants, totally confused. Obviously, this method is for the young.

Another idea to express heartfelt commitment is to take a short romantic getaway. My husband and I have done this, too. The problem is that we always end up with a full cart and never get out for less than $100. But at least dinner is included.

Besides that, we keep running into our friends who read the same book. Probably bought on discount at the same store.

Speaking of books, there’s another great book on love that you may not have read. It’s been out for a long time and it’s a No. 1 seller. And no wonder. The Book talks about the greatest love of all.

One of the best messages is found in John 3:16. It’s a communication of love to all of us. Check it out. You’ll see that the meaning is clear.

God loves us more than anything. And there’s nothing confusing about his true love. It lasts forever.