Yes, you are right. I started the thread by saying that this happened after years and years of a close relationship and that it surprised me because I had said that I didn't think he could say that. He has used appropriate caution so it wasn't used without a lot of consideration. It wasn't simple at all. And we did spend time clarifying what it exactly meant so there was no confusion or reading into it.

I liked your post about the attachment therapist. It seems to indicate that therapist do restrain themselves when the therapeutic relationship can include love as a healing and transformative part of the therapy.

Perhaps I should also add that I am a Buddhist so my sense of love is more like "loving-kindness" a very human and more neutral sense of respect and honor for others, especially those who are suffering.