Can 2 friends (of the opposite sex) tell each other "I love you"...?

Question

I guess what i want to know is: is it ok to tell someone you care about "I love you" and just mean it as a friend??
I(age 35) have a friend who is a guy(age 35)- we have known each other for over 20 years - and I want to know if it is ok to tell him that I care about him and that I love him. I don't mean it in any sexual sort of way - he is a good friend in the service and I worry about his safety. We are both happily married with children and I have no desire to be with him, I just want him to know how much I care. I would be crushed if something happened to him and he didn't know my feelings.
What do you think??

Answer 1

probably tell him that you care about him like a brother

Answer 2

Hi Laura, I totally understand your point. I have experience something like that. It is hard when you have a best friend that likes you more than a friend, but you just have to let them know how you really feel about them. Remember that very good friends are hard to find so tell them the truth and everything will be fine. Sometimes also people confuse things because you understand each other well and are probably really close and they may be confusing their feelings. Of course if they really really like you it may take more time for your friendship to go back to what it was. You have to let them know that more than anything you value their friendship and you do not want to ruin that for something that may not be there or something that may not last. Well good luck and hope everything goes well.

Answer 3

Of course it's ok, in fact it's very sweet. Just make sure that he understands that you don't have any sexual feelings for him. And maybe if you're close to his wife, you might want to talk to her too and let her know that you love her husband "like a brother" or "like a best friend" or whatever.

Answer 4

One of my best friends is male, and he and I say "I love you" to each other every day. His wife knows we do, and also knows that nothing is going on between us except a great caring friendship. You might want to sound your husband out, though, in case he's the jealous type.

Answer 5

If you have been friends for twenty years and still goin strong, id say he knows how much you care, not all feelings are shown in words, just a shoulder to cry on in ur twenty years of friendship could have been the thing that he knows u care

Answer 6

Since you are both happily married, telling him "I love you" without making it ABUNDANTLY clear that you love him as a dear friend only and and that you worry for his safety, would be wrong. As long as you are very clear to him about your intentions, and as long as his wife and your husband know about the depth of your friendship and are okay with it, then it is perfectly okay to tell someone you love them. Love isn't just for people in love. There are many forms of love, and friendship is one form. Be clear with what you mean when you say it, and you should be fine.

Answer 7

I would say the other persons response of "I love you like my dearest brother", would be the best way of phrasing it. Just saying I love you might come across wrong.

Answer 8

I think that's appropriate. I would want someone to tell me that. Some people just need to know that ya love them.

Answer 9

are u really sure that u care for him only as a friend?......if so just tell him! but make sure he knows the score. id b wary because the guy may take it in the wrong way

Answer 10

I believe it's fine unless it's misunderstood or miscommunicated. Make sure he knows it's a friendly "I Love You"

Answer 11

yes you can . don't sound sexy when you tell him or just tell him hat he is a good friend and you love him like a friend and hope nothing ever happens to him.