I'm no specialist but I would like to share my feelings with you. When I fall in love with someone I need their love in return. Receiving their love makes me feel whole, like my life is complete, like it has meaning. If I lost the emotions I had toward that person, I would still love them in a way. I would want them to be happy. But losing the emotions/feelings changes things. I would no longer want to be with (or live with) them.

Saying "I love you" can have so many different interpretations. It's interesting you compare it to saying "I love certain emotions I get from you". That's like saying "you make me feel good" (for the moment). A temporary exhilarating feeling. But true love for another human being is lasting imo. It is having that good feeling about yourself even when they are not around. I have it from knowing that the one special person I hold dear in my life loves me back. When the feelings are not returned it is a huge loss for me.

I don't know if I've addressed what your driving at or have gone off on a tangent. I like to discuss the feelings though and am glad to have seen your posting.