Quote:
Originally Posted by rainbow8
This past week I texted "love, rainbow " to a friend who experienced a tragedy in her family. She texted back "I love you" which made me feel good as she and I never used that word before. I also reached out to other friends who need me.
T gave me homework to hold my husband's hand, which was a great idea, and helped us reconnect. A few of my friends are seriously ill now. Life is so short!
I emailed my T and wrote "I love you." She emailed back "sending love", T. I should have just written "Love, rainbow." "I love you" was a bit much but if my friend could write it to me, I can write it too. I think love is love. Not the romantic kind but the kind that says "I care about you very much." Expressing it seems appropriate. I NEVER told people I loved them in my past. Even when I did love them. My T, by expressing love to me, is helping me reach out to others in my life! I feel really good about doing this. It's real growth! I do wish T and I could sign our emails Love, T and Love, Rainbow without her using the word " sending " first. I think that's her boundary. Does it seem like that's what it is? It doesn't matter really. I'm changing and wanted to share my positive news. 
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Rainbow, this is awesome! Good for you! Life IS short. Reach for those connections while you can. It IS real growth for you to reach out to those who really need your support.
Try not to worry too much about how T chooses to word "love". As you said, love is love. It may be a boundary specific to therapy, it may be her own personal boundary -- it's hard to say, as expressing love is also highly personal. But she does send love, and that's what's important.