LOL! Had a great laugh over this with my friend....
I also never heard "I love you" once while I was growing up. It created faulty thoughts & feelings in my subconscious about myself which led to damaging life choices.
Words are the ultimate weapon or wand. They can cut or create. In particular, "I love you" can have a deeper effect than most words. It opens or closes your heart, the energy center that receives life with clarity or not. The part of you that feels safe in the world, or not.
Only if you sincerely mean it, say it. Say "I love you" every chance you get. Your children need to hear it to have a healthy development. Your inner child self needs it desperately (As I facilitate this healing process with clients - believe me, you need it!) All of your loved ones need to know they are in that category for you.
In the end, it will be the only thing you wish you did more. So go ahead, tell them...tell them a lot...make it weird LOLOLOL
Peace,
Christine
DrChristineMhD@gmail.com
West Islip, NY 11795