Telling friends you love them? Do you do it?

[Happy Mom2]

I say it to my best friend because she is like the sister I never had, and I do love her. She is the only person in this world who sees the true me, and never judges me. I hope she can say the same about me.

Some people just dont' say "I love you." DH was like that when we first got together. He did not grow up in a home where it was said. Over the years, he's gotten used to it.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

I do tell some friends I love them.
I also tell my family I love them....Some friends I consider family.

There are some family members I don't love & don't tell them....

 

[klacey1]

I do tell my husband I love him when one of us is leaving or hanging up the phone. What if it was the last time I saw him or talked to him?

Absolutely. Same here. It's the way my parents raised me, as well. Never go to bed/hang out without saying I love you.
Friends though? I mean, I wouldn't be creeped out if a friend said "I love you," although I might think it a bit out of place. My close girlfriends and I usually sign birthday/holiday cards with a "Love ya, ___" Don't know if we've ever said it aloud, though.

 

[NMAmy]

OP-I think you just have to accept that your friend doesn't say it easily and not hold it against her.

Reading these replies has made me really grateful to my parents. My mom has never been the most demonstrative person but growing up my parents often told each other, "I love you" and told us children often, as well. No phone call with a family member ever ends without an "I love you." My mother once told me that she ends every phone call to family and friends that way because if it is the last time she talks to that person, she wants to be sure that was the last thing said.

 

[Katie's Butterflies]

I'm another one who doesn't say "I love you" to friends. The only people I say those words to are my parents. It doesn't mean that I don't love my friends or other family members, it's just REALLY uncomfortable for me to say. So, I usually respond with "you too." My friends know that I care about them and I've shown my love in actions. I just can't say those words after every conversation.

 

[OK!]

I don't typically say it to anybody but my mom; she always says it to me at the end of phone calls, and I respond, "Love you too." The rest of the family all knows we love each other and are less demonstrative than my mom is, so we don't say it.

 

[C.Ann]

For most friends, yes..

And all phone calls to (or received from) family members are ended with, "Love you, bye.."

 

[TheBigBadWolf]

I tell all my family I love them, a lot, but only say "I love you" to friends when they are having difficulties in their lives, like divorce, illness, chaos... I'm not really comfortable telling my friends I love them in a casual situation.

One thing that makes me uncomfortable is my DH's brother always signs his emails to me, "Love ~ his name". Now I've known this guy for about 30 years. I was friends with him for 15 year before I ever met his brother, my DH. He is happily married and is NOT flirting or anything, he's just a really nice guy. He emails me several times a week just saying, "Have a great day and tell my brother hello". But him signing his emails "Love" just bothers me, because although I like him a whole lot, I don't love him. I never sign my emails back to him with love, and I really wish he'd quit doing it and causing me to be uncomfortable!

I suggest you stop telling your friend you love her if it is making her feel uncomfortable.