near to one's heart

near to (one's) heart

Personally important to, or loved by, someone. That old dog is very near to my heart.See also: heart, near

near to one's heart

Also, close to one's heart. Loved by or important to one, as in This last painting was very near to her heart, or His first grandson is close to his heart. [Late 1800s] See also: heart, near