That's a very thoughtful response, PreacherHeckler. Thank you. I think I'm unlike some others because I haven't had bad experiences with people telling me they loved me when they really didn't. When people have told me they loved me, I believe they truly did, although this has been an infrequent occurrence. And I liked hearing the words and receiving their love. I like reciprocal relationships so it feels good to receive as well as to give. I think part of my difficulty comes because I feel my parents should have loved me or my husband should have loved me. They didn't really act like they did, so I guess their (lack of) loving words were consistent with their behavior. Maybe that's a better experience (more truthful) to have than those people who feel lied to by insincere words of love. But it still hurts, just the same. I've relied on people's actions all my life to tell me how they feel. I would like to know and spend time with people who are more verbal and expressive about their feelings. Being ever the detective and vigilant observer can be exhausting.