The best TV 'I love you' scenes of all time

Can't find the words? Take inspiration from scripted classics on "Outlander," "The Office," "Schitt's Creek," "New Girl," and more.

Three simple words, so many variations. TV's greatest couples have all exchanged "I love yous" at some point, taking their relationships to a new level. We simply can't resist the sweeping romance of when one half of the couple realizes they simply can't contain their feelings any longer and pours their heart out to the other. In other instances, both halves express their love for each other at the same time, confirming their unending bond for life.

Here are some of our favorite "I love you" moments from TV that reduce us to a puddle of tears every time.

Rory and Dean on Gilmore Girls ("Love, Daisies and Troubadours," season 1, episode 21)

Dean Forester (Jared Padalecki) was Rory Gilmore's (Alexis Bledel) first love, but it took her a second to realize it. After Dean's unreciprocated "I love you" led to the couple's first breakup, Rory couldn't quite find a way to make things right. But, when Dean showed up at her school, she realized she couldn't let him go again.

Best part: "Because I love you, you idiot!"

Related: Gilmore Girls: Lauren Graham and Scott Patterson on why Luke and Lorelai are meant to be

Jamie and Claire on Outlander ("Lallybroch," season 1, episode 12)

The story of Outlander is the story of Claire (Caitríona Balfe) trying to find her home, the place she belongs. And the moment she started to feel that at Lallybroch, Jamie (Sam Heughan) launched into a sentimental conversation about the reasons why he married her, and, furthermore, the moment he first fell in love with her. It caught Claire — and the viewers — off guard in the most welcome way possible.

Best part: Jamie telling Claire, "I wanted you from the first moment I saw you, but... I loved you when you wept in my arms that first night at Leoch. Now, I wake up every day and I find that I love you more than I did the day before."

Booth to Bones on Bones ("The Parts in the Sum of the Whole," season 5, episode 16)

Booth (David Boreanaz) had put his heart on the line twice and been shot down, well, twice. (Then it happened a third time with Katheryn Winnick's Hanna.) While we're thrilled Booth and Bones (Emily Deschanel) got together, we're baffled as to how Bones — or any woman for that matter — would have the strength to turn down a guy who delivered a speech like Booth's "I'm the gambler" in the show's 100th episode. And you can bet that we still cry when watching this scene.

Best part: "You know when you talk to older couples who've been in love for 30 or 40 or 50 years. It's always the guy who said 'I knew.' I knew right from the beginning... I'm that guy. Bones, I'm that guy. I know."

Jim to Pam on The Office ("Casino Night," season 2, episode 22)

Two seasons of will-they-won't-they tension led up to Jim's (John Krasinski) sincere and simply put parking lot confession of love. But then-engaged Pam's (Jenna Fischer) reaction was — at least initially — less than ideal and drove Jim (and us!) to tears. And you know what? It still gets us every time.

Best part: [Pause] "I'm in love with you."

Related: 21 of the most highly anticipated kisses in TV history

Desmond and Penny on Lost ("The Constant," season 4, episode 5)

He never stopped trying to reach her. She never stopped looking for him. And ever since this aired, we never stopped dissolving into tears whenever we see it.

Best part: The. Whole. Thing.

Related: The 100 best TV romances of all time

Ryan and Marissa on The O.C. ("The Countdown," season 1, episode 14)

After nearly half a season of build-up, Ryan (Ben McKenzie) and Marissa (Mischa Barton) finally decided to give the relationship thing a try, but neither of them expected to fall for the other so quickly. So, when Marissa found herself saying "I love you" after a movie date, all Ryan could manage to say back was "Thank you." But, when he found himself locked in a pool house on New Year's Eve, he had some time to realize his mistake. In an iconic moment, Ryan raced to find Marissa, running up the stairs to Oliver's (Taylor Handley) penthouse, where he arrived just as the clock hit midnight to confess his love.

Best part: Marissa's "thank you" in response to Ryan's "I love you."

Carol to Luka re: Doug on ER ("Such Sweet Sorrow," season 6, episode 21)

A patient's husband's emotional speech about his everlasting love for his dead wife prompted Carol (Julianna Margulies) to pack her things and rush off to meet longtime love Doug (George Clooney) in Seattle during season 6. But she didn't leave without explaining her rush exit to Luka (Goran Višnjić), who had been standing beside her loyally since the birth of her and Doug's twins. We don't even blame her for not saying her speech directly to Doug because, honestly, would you waste time with words if you were with that man? That's what we thought.

Best part: "I'm still in love with him; I am," she said. "I've been in love with him since I was 23 years old. He's...He's everything to me. He's my life. I feel complete when I'm with him, and I feel empty when we're apart. He's the father of my children...and he's my soulmate."

Meredith to Derek on Grey's Anatomy ("Bring the Pain," season 2, episode 5)

We don't like to remind ourselves about those times when all wasn't about happy Post-it marriages for Grey's most famous couple. But we do like to remember this scene, where Meredith (Ellen Pompeo) spilled her heart in a very Meredith way. And while Derek (Patrick Dempsey) didn't "pick" her that time — eventually he did. That's what counts.

Best part: "Derek, I love you. In a really, really big, pretend to like your taste in music, let you eat the last piece of cheesecake, hold a radio over my head outside your window, unfortunate way that makes me hate you, love you. So pick me. Choose me. Love me."

Chuck to Sarah on Chuck ("Chuck Versus the Three Words," season 3, episode 2)

Choosing the best Chuck (Zachary Levi) and Sarah (Yvonne Strahovski) moment is like choosing the best piece of chocolate from a variety pack — it's all good. But when Sarah learned (via video confession) that Chuck chose to be a spy because he loved her, we got more teary-eyed than she did. To use a rom-com cliché, she made him want to be a better man. Sigh.

Best part: "You're the one that taught me that being a spy is about choosing something bigger. It's about putting aside your own personal feelings for the greater good, and that's what I chose. I chose to be a spy for my family and friends and you. I chose to be a spy because...Sarah, I love you."

Buffy to Angel on Angel ("I Will Remember You," season 1, episode 8)

We have to make this quick because just thinking about the tragedy of this episode and those bitchy oracles makes us hurt in ways only this couple can. The most wrenching part, of course, is when the seconds inched by and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar) repeated, "I'll never forget. I'll never forget." We never did.

Best part: "How am I supposed to go on with my life, knowing what we had? What we could have had?"

Damon to Elena on The Vampire Diaries ("Rose," season 2, episode 8)

He might have thought he didn't "deserve" Elena (Nina Dobrev), but after this uncharacteristically tender moment, Damon (Ian Somerhalder) at least deserves some lauds for putting someone else's happiness before his own.

Best part: "I love you, Elena...and it's because I love you that I can't be selfish with you."

Alicia and Will on The Good Wife ("End," season 7, episode 22)

Alicia (Julianna Margulies) and Will's (Josh Charles) love story was tragically cut short when Will was killed in The Good Wife's fifth season. But the series finale saw his return...at least in Alicia's head. And as she sought closure so that she could go after Jason (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), she confessed what we all knew to be true: Her love for Will will always remain.

Best part: "I'll love you forever." —Alicia

"I'm okay with that." —Will

Joey to Pacey on Dawson's Creek ("A Winter's Tale," season 4, episode 14)

Joey (Katie Holmes) was all about the little things in life, which explains why that's exactly what mattered most to her when it came to her relationship with Pacey (Joshua Jackson), as she pointed out in her sex preamble. We give it a 10, darling.

Best part: "Pacey, this is about how you carried my bag off the bus yesterday. This is about how...when we go to the movies and you go and you buy popcorn, you always make sure you bring back a napkin so I don't wipe all the grease on my jeans. And this is about how, just last week, when we were at miniature golf, you took all of the shots first so I would know the correct path."

Related: Dawson's Creek star Joshua Jackson fought for Joey to end up with Pacey

Chandler and Monica on Friends ("The One With the Proposal, Part Two," season 6, episode 25)

Monica (Courteney Cox) only got through a few lines, but we give her some credit for providing the romantic setup and getting the ball rolling. But credit goes to Chandler (Matthew Perry) for being able to sweetly express himself — without a terrible joke at the end! Oh, Bing-a-ling.

Best part: "I thought...that it mattered, what I said or where I said it. Then I realized, the only thing that matters is that you... you make me happier than I ever thought I could be. And if you let me, I will spend the rest of my life trying to make you feel the same way." —Chandler

Olivia and Fitz on Scandal ("Happy Birthday, Mr. President," season 2, episode 8)

In the middle of Scandal's second season, viewers were treated to a flashback that showed just how much love once existed between Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn). As she found herself frustrated with the feeling that her love for him controlled her, the most powerful man in the country admitted that he felt the same in one of the greatest confessions of love TV's ever seen.

Best part: "I love you. I'm in love with you. You're the love of my life. My every feeling is controlled by the look on your face. I can't breathe without you. I can't sleep without you. I wait for you. I watch for you. I exist for you." —Fitz

Chuck to Blair on Gossip Girl ("The Goodbye Gossip Girl," season 2, episode 25)

When Chuck (Ed Westwick) showed up in a limo with Blair's (Leighton Meester) favorite spoils from around the world in hand at the end of season 2, he won Blair's heart. He won ours, however, with three little words: "You were right." Kidding. It was four words: "I love you, too."

Best part: See latter line.

Nick to Jess on New Girl ("Prince," season 3, episode 14)

It wouldn't be Nick (Jake Johnson) and Jess (Zooey Deschanel) without a gloriously unwell expression of love. After Nick awkwardly blurted out "I love you" for the first time as Jess was leaving to go to a party, the embarrassment was visible on both of their faces.

Best part: Jess' befuddled finger-guns response.

Homer to Marge on The Simpsons ("The Way We Was," season 2, episode 12)

This cartoon couple has no shortage of sweet moments, but it's Homer's car confession post-prom disaster in this flashback episode that never fails to choke us up. A-d'oh-able.

Best part: "I've got a problem. Once you stop this car, I'm going to hug you, and kiss you, and then I'll never be able to let you go. [Cut to present day] And I never have."

Kevin to Scotty on Brothers & Sisters ("Moral Hazard," season 2, episode 15)

A moment of clarity amid family chaos led Kevin (Matthew Rhys) to pop the question to Scotty (Luke Macfarlane) without a ring, but with sincerity.

Best part: "I'm completely, completely in love with you. I even love the things about you that I hate because you make me feel like I don't have to be anyone other than who I am."

Fleabag to Hot Priest on Fleabag ("Season 2, Episode 6")

What started as a naughty love affair between Fleabag (Phoebe Waller-Bridge) and "Hot Priest" (Andrew Scott) turned devastating in the final episode of the series. At a bus stop, Fleabag uttered a sincere "I love you," to which the priest took her hand and heartbreakingly replied, "It'll pass."  (Minutes later, though, he tells her, "I love you, too." It still hurts.)

Best part: "You know, the worst thing is...that I f---ing love you. I love you. No, no, don't. No, let's just leave that out there just for a second on its own. I love you."

Sam to Diane on Cheers ("The Proposal," season 5, episode 1)

Okay, it was once sour and eventually turned even more sour, but, in the moment, Sam (Ted Danson) knew exactly what to say. It was simple, sweet, and Sam. Yes, he got shot down in the end, but let's just pretend that last part didn't happen. Deal?

Best part: "From the very start, down deep inside, I have been crazy about you. Crazier about you than any other woman I've ever met. Hell, I was crazy about you even when I hated you."

Niles to Daphne on Frasier ("Mixed Doubles," season 4, episode 6)

The tension had been building for years, so an eventual acknowledgment of Niles' (David Hyde Pierce) feelings for Daphne (Jane Leeves) was inevitable. He finally got his chance when Daphne asked what his pickup line would have been had they crossed paths in a singles' bar. While the too-subtle confession of love that followed went right over Daphne's head, it was stored in ours as one of the best ever.

Best part: "Well, I would have said, 'Is this seat taken?' And you would have said 'No.' You would have said 'My name is Daphne,' and I would have said, 'My name is Niles.' And then I would have said... 'What are you doing for the rest of your life?'"

Steve to Miranda on Sex and the City ("One," season 6, episode 12)

He was no one-night stand — even though she wanted him to be. Over the years Steve (David Eigenberg) had gone above and beyond for Miranda (Cynthia Nixon). (Remember when he showed up for her mom's funeral?!) Who knew that it'd be a small pantry encounter that sealed the deal?

Best part: "I love you, too. I mean, c'mon...Miranda, you're the one."

Alison to Emily on Pretty Little Liars ("The Glove That Rocks the Cradle," season 7, episode 16)

It took them long enough! It wasn't until Pretty Little Liars' final season that Alison (Sasha Pieterse) was finally ready to tell Emily (Shay Mitchell) why all of her past relationships failed...because she was in love with Emily!

Best part: "I wanna do this, together.... I want to be a family."

David to Maddie's Dad re: Maddie on Moonlighting ("Father Knows Last," season 4, episode 7)

Ah, another third-person confession. Only David (Bruce Willis) took a major risk choosing Maddie's (Cybill Shepherd) no-nonsense father, Alexander (Robert Webber), as the receiving end of his candor. The bold move paid off, however, as his confession was as genuine as it was frantic — kinda like love, eh?

Best part: "Four billion people in the world, half of them built for comfort, and I gotta pick this one to wanna grow old with."

Clark to Lois on Smallville ("Harvest," season 10, episode 6)

Arguably one of pop culture's most famous couples, the bar is set pretty high for declarations of love. But this one ranks up there because it's nice to see that even a man of steel has a soft spot.

Best part: "I want you to know me completely with no secrets because you're the one. You always will be."

Cory to Topanga on Boy Meets World ("What I Meant to Say," season 3, episode 3)

They were still itty-bitty high schoolers when Cory (Ben Savage) first told Topanga (Danielle Fishel) he loved her, but the innocent take on the meaning of love still strikes a chord with us even now. Kids say the darnedest — and sometimes wisest — things.

Best part: "All I know is you and I belong together. I mean, I have always been able to talk to you, to make you laugh, and I've always, always wanted to take care of you."

Marshall and Lily on How I Met Your Mother ("Something Borrowed," season 2, episode 21)

Arguably the cutest, cuddliest couple on our list, Marshall (Jason Segel) and Lily (Alyson Hannigan) were not short on gestures of affection (marching bands at the airport!), but lengthy speeches weren't their style. Their wedding was the exception, though, and we couldn't have penned more fitting — or adorably personal — vows for the plucky pair.

Best part: "Marshall, I love you because you're funny, and you make me feel loved, and you make me feel safe. And, for our anniversary, you gave me a sweatshirt that says, 'Lily & Marshall Rockin' It Since '96.' I kinda wish I was wearing it right now because it smells like you." —Lily

Amy to Ephram on Everwood ("Foreverwood [Part 2]," season 4, episode 22)

The romantic Ferris wheel in the background certainly didn't hurt the impact of the speeches exchanged in the final episode of Everwood. But, above all, Amy's (Emily VanCamp) rambling speech to Ephram (Gregory Smith) provided the perfect closure for the pair — and fans.

Best part: "Four years ago, you came to my little town and you changed my life. I never thought that one person could do that to another, but you did."

Blaine to Kurt on Glee ("New York," season 2, episode 22)

Some of the best proclamations of love come about in the most casual of settings. After Kurt (Chris Colfer) regaled his boyfriend Blaine (Darren Criss) with stories about his trip to New York, Blaine looked at Kurt with hearts in his eyes and professed his love. Klaine 4eva!

Best part: "I love you, too. You know, when you stop and think about it, Kurt Hummel has had a pretty good year." —Kurt

Stefan to Elena on The Vampire Diaries ("Daddy Issues," season 2, episode 13)

By the middle of season 2, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Elena had said "I love you" more than once — including Elena's epic first declaration — but there was something so simple and powerful about this moment. After Caroline (Candice King) had a bad day, Stefan surprised her with a girls' night when he brought Bonnie (Kat Graham) and Elena over to her house for a sleepover. As Elena hugged her friend, she mouthed "I love you" to her thoughtful boyfriend, who mouthed it back.

Best part: It's a tie between the way Stefan pauses before mouthing it back and the look on his face when he does. It's as if he can't believe how much he loves Elena.

Juliet to Sawyer on Lost ("The Incident, Part 2," season 5, episode 17)

Sawyer's (Josh Holloway) desperate plea to a chain-trapped Juliet (Elizabeth Mitchell) was enough to tear us up, but her response made it rain on our faces. The love speech lesson here is when you really mean it, forget the nicknames.

Best part: "I love you, James. I love you so much."

Eric and Tami Taylor on Friday Night Lights ("Best Laid Plans," season 1, episode 21)

Eric (Kyle Chandler) and Tami Taylor (Connie Britton) will always be one of the greatest couples in television history, but that's not to say they agreed on everything. Rather, their disagreement was what made their portrayal of marriage all the more realistic. The perfect example? After Eric was offered a coaching job at TMU in season 1, Tami told him that, as much as she loves him, she and Julie (Aimee Teegarden) were going to stay in Dillon. He, however, needed to chase his dream.

Best part: Eric putting his arms around Tami and telling her, seemingly out of the blue, "I love you, I respect you, I'm proud of you, and I am in love with you completely."

Uncle Jesse to Becky on Full House ("The House Meets the Mouse: Part 2," season 6, episode 24)

So, it technically wasn't a speech, but who doesn't want a song dedicated to them? A Disney song, no less! Yes, we're corny.

Best part: "This is a song for dreamers everywhere." Uncle Jesse (John Stamos), along with the Rippers, then proceeds to play “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes” on piano in front of Cinderella’s castle while fireworks go off.

Robert to Sol on Grace and Frankie ("The Vows," season 1, episode 13)

Though Sol (Sam Waterston) wouldn't actually get to hear the vows until four episodes into the following season, hearing Robert (Martin Sheen) let down his emotional guard while writing his vows to his husband-to-be can give anyone at any age #relationshipgoals. (Let's just forget about the fact that Sol just cheated on Robert with his ex-wife, Lily Tomlin's Frankie, moments earlier since — spoiler alert — it all worked out in the end.)

Best part: "Sol, I love you for who you are and who I am with you."

Mulder to Scully on The X-Files ("The Sixth Extinction II: Amor Fati," season 7, episode 2)

There are almost too many moments from this pair to choose just one, but when Mulder (David Duchovny) returned from an odd journey in this season 7 episode, he made a heartfelt revelation about Scully's (Gillian Anderson) role in his life that left us with goosebumps.

Best part: "The end of my world was unrecognizable and upside down. There was one thing that remained the same. You...were my friend, and you told me the truth. Even when the world was falling apart, you were my constant...my touchstone."

Related: The X-Files: Mulder and Scully's best moments

Alex to Izzie on Grey's Anatomy ("What a Difference a Day Makes," season 5, episode 22)

Talk about creating a moment. Ingrid Michaelson's "Turn to Stone" playing in the background only added more emotional punch to Alex's (Justin Chambers) all-too-fitting vows (which he technically borrowed from a patient, but we forgive him).

Best part: "Today's the day my life begins. All my life I've been just me — just a smart-mouthed kid. Today, I become a man. Today, I become a husband. Today, I become accountable to someone other than myself. Today, I become accountable to you, to our future."

David and Patrick to each other on Schitt's Creek ("Singles Week," season 4, episode 12)

Patrick (Noah Reid) knew full well how hard it was for boyfriend David (Dan Levy) to say "I love you" — he's only ever said it three times, including once at a Mariah Carey concert. But that didn't stop Patrick from telling David he loved him at their store, and while David was as overwhelmed as we were, he ultimately reciprocated that love later in the day. And we love that for them.

Best part: "I don't expect you to say it back right now. Say it when you're ready. Just felt right to me in the moment. You're my Mariah Carey."

Related: Schitt's Creek stars relive David and Patrick's most romantic moments

Read the original article on Entertainment Weekly.