This would be in the context of a romantic relationship/partnership. My overarching view of this is that I feel like in our times and culture those words have become very cheap. Seeing people treat each other like total garbage and try to put a band-aid on things by saying the magic words. Can love not be expressed by your actions, your nature, and your respect towards another person? I know when someone loves me, they don’t have to tell me also.
Yes, and you can sometimes weave those actions with the words, I love you.
You think culture has cheapened the words, but you are in a private intimate relationship, not a cultural object.