Do you think saying "I love you" always has strings?

[boobookitty]

Originally Posted by Apocalipstic

If she knows the situation and you have been honest, it seems a bit patronizing to try to protect her from herself.

Ah... and there is the rub of it -- I realize that is exactly what I am doing.

How would you (as in anyone who reads this) feel -- to find out long after the fact (so to speak) that someone loved you and did not trust you with the whole truth? ... sigh...

If she was in my face right now, ... telling me she had read this thread, and asked why I won't say it... I would have to look her in the eye and say, "???"
(stalling for time to think of a good answer)

I would say, "Because, what I feel, and what I am willing to stand by, as a commiment are not the same thing. Love beyond friendship is not what I am able to give to you. If my feelings are in conflict with my commiment to be your friend, then that is where the line is drawn. I promised to be your friend first. The rest takes second place to that."