What Does Reading Aloud Mean to You?

I recently asked families, in a survey posted here on this blog, to share what reading aloud meant to them.  Here are the responses so far:

I love feeling a connection with my children -- we're all sharing the experience of a story together. I love getting to do dialogue and accents and drama -- I'm not an actress, but I play one at bedtime! I love that my kids end their day with me, immersed in words and images as well as family togetherness. I love when they yell "JUST ONE MORE CHAPTER!" 
Reading aloud to my children gives me a chance to bond with them.  Also since my children are still young, reading out loud gives them a chance to hear how certain words sound.  For me, reading aloud means sharing the books I loved as a child with my children. It also represents my hopes that books and reading will become as valued a part of their lives as they are of mine.
Reading aloud to my son is one of the most consistent things in our life and that in itself is valuable! I am learning as I read to him and I am hoping connections are being made and his imagination may be sparked. I have fond memories of my mom reading to me and am grateful to be able to keep that tradition. I had hoped that by reading to my son that he would "get" reading just by being read to every night for an hour or more for 6 years...alas this is not the case and needs much more support for decoding and so on--as per usual-lessons come all the time --and as with most all things-I realize never to take anything for granted and reading aloud with confidence is one of those things! I will not stop reading to him no matter what-and I am grateful for such a great librarian like you!
I think that read aloud means the same thing that for you, an act of love. It's a moment that we spend together, as a family. There is a ritual, every night we pick a book together and i read to my boys. I read only in french to them, so reading is not only an act of love but it's also a way to pass on my culture and where i come from. Since I love reading and I love to read to them, they feel it and love this moment too. It's a moment where I am relaxed (and I don't screamed at them!). I think that the mission is accomplished, they love reading too (even though one of my children struggles reading, he still loves books).
A chance to connect with my child and to share in a meaningful moment. To smile together, to learn together, to laugh together or be sad together. We get to be transported to an imaginary world and meet imaginary friends. form connections with characters, and discuss their actions, behaviors and motivations. Sometimes it offers an opportunity to learn, other times it just offers an excellent excuse to snuggle up together in bed at the end of a long day chill.  
For me, reading aloud to my two boys is a time to unplug.  No TV. No video games. No iPad.  Just us, on the couch or in bed, snuggled close and minds open to a story that comes off a page.  It's special and oh so important.
Reading aloud is a chance for me to bring my boys together in a quiet, cozy moment and to share the experience of going on an adventure together without leaving the couch!
Reading aloud is huge priority in our family. Two years ago we read the entire Harry Potter series outloud as a family over the course of just 3 months. It was amazing and something we all will remember and share. I also love being read to -- by children and adults. The book "reads" differently when it's delivered orally. I hear details I might otherwise miss. And there are few things I love more than snuggling in bed with my boys each night and reading even for a bit and I love pulling out picture books that they might think they are "too old" for, but which have an ageless message. 
For me, reading aloud is a great way to spend time with my daughter.  To connect and share an experience with her.  It is also a great way to open a dialog with her about a problem or situation she is experiencing that is similar to what a character in a story is experiencing.  It is also a great way to go on an adventure and use our imaginations.
Everything.  I think it is THE most important thing we do as parents.
Reading aloud cultivates a love of books and reinforces language and learning.
It is special part of of each and everyday. You are never too young to listen to a story and you are never to old to read one."
Yes, I love to hear a story.  Sometimes when I go to a classroom and the teacher is reading aloud I can't help but stay.  It just gives me such joy and it brings the characters alive.  I also agree with you, Cheryl "it's an act of love."
I was always convinced that my children didn't want to learn to read themselves because they didn't want me to stop reading to them. And although they finally gave in and learned, they still enjoy being read to.