Love is a huge thing. I know i find it hard to say it, apart from to my kids.
I think it's because we don't want to feel rejected, or to make the person that were saying it to to feel that they have to say it back.
He said " you would have to know my parents....their not like that". This guy is 54.
This guy needs to stop blamimg his parents for him actions. My fathers parents were very reseved emotionaly. We refer to them as "emotionally constipated". He never wanted to be like that with us and forced himself to show emotions. He is still not an emotional person but at least he tried and we recognised that. He still tells me he loves me all the time and i am now 30.
I think it just comes down to fear.
We all just need to learn that we all have one life to live.
On our death bed is too late to tell those close to us how we feel.
Love you.