Thank you all so much for your replies! This thread is a real encouragement and asset for me not to feel bad in my current environment which sometimes is notorious for conformity to various ideals and attitudes. Big shout out to @divine1966 and @Ptak for making me feel special and desirable with your posts and for @sarahsweets for reading me like a book. Real love in my worldview definitely includes an emotional component, consisting of giving love and the ability to receive it.