I'm really glad that her call helped, and that it's feeling a little bit more OK!

Re: Saying the word. I wonder if her definition of love is quite different than yours? For you, love is caring deeply and being willing to make sacrifices, and under that definition, she loves you. But, what if her definition is something like - "Someone I'm willing to quit my job to nurse back to health if they were seriously injured/ill"? I'm obviously just making that up, but it sort of makes sense, doesn't it, that that's something she do for her spouse and kids, but wouldn't be able to do for a client, or really even a close friend?

It's a sticky word, I think, and maybe everyone has their own take on what's included under it.

I still think it was brave of you to ask!