The Platonic “I Love You.”

Can we recognize and honor it?

This, too, is love. Photo by Toa Heftiba on Unsplash

“How did you get him to say ‘I love you’ when you haven’t even had sex?”

My friend is beside herself.

It was something I hadn’t thought of. I loved him, he loved me. We were not dating. It was a heartfelt statement, but one that was not sexual.

Neither of us said it as a joke.

It was platonic.

The platonic “I love you.” No less real than the romantic one, but everyone seems to think those three words are a milestone. Indicative of a forever.

Scary words to say because they imply an eternal agreement.

Here comes the rush saying there is something romantic, or that he sees it as romantic, or that I’m being duped or used.

Nope. I’m sorry to disappoint you.

We have never kissed. We probably never will.

No sex, no secret attraction. We have separate lives. We pop back up in each other’s lives, catch up, and then part ways.

Platonic love is real. And men and women can be friends.

And “I love you” is not a big deal.