I didn't mean to make it sound like love is a dirty word.

But I do think it matters who hears. In my part of the world... well, people are just weird. I pretty sure that most people would think it inappropriate for me to tell my YFs that I love them. They would say something like, "a boy doesn't need to hear that from you. You shouldn't be playing with his emotions like that." Or they would say, "he doesn't know what love is." I don't know.

You're right, a sincere I love you shouldn't take their minds in that direction. But I feel like I know adults to whom that would happen.

But I didn't say it to get the warm fuzzies in return. I said it because it was important to me to let him know verbally, even though he already knew. It was like a verbal hug, and I think they need that from time to time.

I think that's how it should be. And I agree that they need that from time to time.