So I have this thing with "I love you"... I read into different versions of "I love you" in different ways... Both from when I say it, and when someone says it to me...

If I am talking to somebody in a joking way, like a "haha you love me" type situation, or something similar, I will usually say "<3 you" or "<3 u" or "<3 you too" or something like that... For me, reading or saying that is very much a joking tone, or to express caring more than love...

"Love you" is a step up from that, and is for relationships that are a little closer... This is for people I care a lot about, and really do love and would do anything for, but is still intended in a lighthearted way, and isn't as meaningful as "I love you"....

"I love you" is for people that mean the world to me... That just the thought of something happening to them brings me to tears... That I would do anything for.... That I care about and love with the deepest fiber of my being... And when someone says this version to me, it puts me on top of the world, I feel important and truly loved and cared about...

When I say goodnight to people I care about, I say "I love you" because I want them to know how much they really matter to me, how important they are, how much I care, how much I love them.... So then when I just get "love you too" in return, my heart breaks, because I'm always hoping and wanting that intense love in return... I know it sounds dumb, that one letter couldn't change the meaning so drastically, but for me, it really does... Does anyone else have this issue at all?