I struggled with this for years. She had shown me that she loved me over and over but I had to hear the words.
Finally about 2 years ago, she says, out of the blue, " I love you Pam". It was great. But, more important, it meant that she had heard me. I convinced her through many, MANY, sessions, that I absolutely MUST hear her say the words.

Crazy, but I believe her now, and don't need to demand that she tells me. I know. Every once in a while, she'll say it again, but now I don't have to hear her to know it is true.

But I just HAD to have her say it.

I do understand.