Love Wars and Last Words

In the Pittman family, saying “I love you” was not a formality. It was a ritual. It was a rhythm of everyday life. And sometimes, it was a full-blown contest.

They called it a Love War.

It always began the same way. One person would say “I love you,” and the other would quickly respond with “I love you more.” But it never stopped there. Words would stack up like bricks in a tower. “I love you the most.” “I love you more than the moon.” “I love you to the end of the world and back.”

The goal was simple. Outdo the other in love. Leave nothing unsaid. Win by loving louder.

This playful tradition became part of the foundation of the Pittman home. It was woven into conversations between Marc and his sons, Cole and Chase, whether they were running errands or sharing a quiet moment. It wasn’t just for special occasions. It was an everyday thing.

Cole once called his dad from a stadium tunnel before a University of Texas game. Surrounded by noise and tension, his words were simple. “I love you.” Then he walked out to play. That kind of love—solid, clear, and unshaken—was who he was.

In the book Raising Cole, one of the most powerful truths is this. The words were always said. The love was always known.

There’s a story of a coach pulling Marc aside to say he thought there were things about Cole that Marc might not know. Marc didn’t hesitate. He already knew. Cole told him everything. Not because he had to, but because the space between them had been made safe.

That kind of relationship is not accidental. It is the result of thousands of honest conversations, intentional words, and a family culture that made love the starting point, not the reward.

Too many people live with things left unsaid. Love kept quiet. Forgiveness delayed. Hugs postponed. We assume there will be more time. Until there isn’t.

What Raising Cole reminds us is that love is not something to ration. It is something to multiply. It is something to say every day until it becomes part of the air your family breathes.

The world does not need more guarded people. It needs more Love Wars. It needs more bold declarations. It needs more parents and sons and daughters and friends who make love the loudest thing in the room.

If you need a place to start, here it is.

Tell someone you love them. Then say it again. Say it first. Say it louder.

Love is the only thing that lives longer than we do.