Why is it that we all need to be loved, but when somebody finally says, "I love you," people just run scared?

Because we feel obligated to say it back, and that is scary—-even if we love that person. Because saying “I love you” makes it a real, tangible thing. It takes something so incredibly incomprehensible and forces you to acknowledge it. And by acknowledging it you accept the fact that loving that person—-inviting them into the deepest recesses of your heart—-gives them power. Power to destroy you, to break your heart and shatter your happiness. Power to tear you up, from the inside out, and to destroy your trust, faith, and hope. Or power to make you feel better than you ever have, to help you, fix you, make you better. Power to love you back and to create something impossibly beautiful among the chaos. And that is downright terrifying.