It took a long time for me to verbally say it. I had written it significantly before then. Now it is part of the ending of every session. She replies "I know". This is something that has worked out for us - being believed (or not believed) is an issue for me. For others, the "I know" might be bothersome.

She has not told me that she loves me. She has told me that she cares about me. And when I say that she loves me, she has acknowledged it in some way to indicate that I am accurate in my belief. Me saying that she loves me took even much longer to happen.