Regarding the statement " I love you " :   there is Emotional Love and
there is Devotional Love.
The statement is best used as an empowering, devotional
statement meaning " I God you " or " I recognize the manifestation of
God, Love, Light, in you " .
Of course, saying it as Emotional is OK, too, but the Devotional is
a higher level one, encompassing the Emotional.

The statement " I love you " keeps the flow of love energy going.

So go ahead, and use " I love you " freely (and sincerely).