When I say it to my T, I know it's meaningless, I just like saying it, I like how it sounds. Usually I say, "I love my (hisname)" and he may or may not reply in kind; it's often after an intense moment. But it always feels safe. What WILL trigger me is the odd slightly flirtatious or flippant remark, again usually in response to me, or even serious statement, that makes me think he truly is in love with me AND has expectations of the relationship. We discussed this just last week - I still don't feel unsafe, it's that I don't know what his EXPECTATIONS are (in reality, none; we are just both very outgoing in public in RL). And this puts me back in childhood, with everyone dodging and smirking. The I love you's back then were said only by me, and they were demanded and mechanical. I would hope our T's, especially with our population, i.e., those of us with strong child presences?, would not so much cater to us, as design therapies in this regard to fit our needs, not theirs.