I never had a problem saying "I love you" to my ex, but it is something that is never said between my parents and me. My mother will sign letters and (most) emails with it, and dad will too, but when we talk on the phone or I go to stay with them it is rarely, if ever said. I don't know why...it is definitely a learned thing, and obviously between my parents and me... but I do know that I tell my daughters many times a day how much I love them. I also struggle saying those 3 words to anyone else e.g. friends- I have one close friend who always says that to me and I just cannot say it back...