I understand that. Sometimes I say "I hate you" to people who make me laugh really hard to the point where I can't breathe but I really just love the fuck out of them.
I'd just like to talk about all of the gestures that can be used to communicate love. A reassuring squeeze of the hand, a "hey are you good?", a small compliment, a hug, buying the person a gift, compromising for them, reminding them to take a deep breath, and asking them how they're going with an ambition. All of these things can mean "I love you" and they keep relationships lasting longer and stronger than any affectionate phrases can.