"Love" is a word that I very rarely heard in my family, as I was growing up. So naturally, it is a word I find very difficult to say. When you've never(rarely) heard it spoken, it's difficult to associate the feeling with the word. Then it always feels out of context, until you get accustomed to relating the feeling with the word, which can be learned at any time.
For me, I feel that I missed out on that experience, due to my families' dysfunctionality. And the first 30+ years of my life were a total loss, in that respect. That being said, I am now slowly learning to associate the feeling with the word, and in my opinion, it should only be said if you truly mean it. That could take weeks, months, or even years, depending on the situation. Use it when you feel the time is right.
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Those who speak, don't know.
Those who know, don't speak.