When you tell a friend 'I love You' (or someone else) , how do you make it known you mean it in a nice & acceptable way without them taking it in another meaning. Them thinking you have fallen in love with them & you actually mean it the other way. Ever had someone take it the wrong way & had to tell them differently so they realise they then understand & either apologise for their misunderstanding you or otherwise?
I think if you have not been misleading in any way a simple I love you to a friend is not likely to be misinterpreted.
love can not be explained or discribed it can not be controlled. It cant be weighed or measured so it cant be bought or sold. We dont know where it comes from we dont know where it goes but the desire to love and to be loved every human knows. Love has no beginning or ending like the eternity of a ring love holds so much in meaning because its the meaning of everything but we love our cars, we love to dance we love our movie stars we love our families, god and country wed love to go to mars. We love ourselves, we love or pets we love to roller skate some people just love to love but some people love to hate. So if you say to me "i love you" i feel no satisfaction i love you are just empty words until they are followed up with action. Its like saying the word "color" to an artist to whom color means everything there are so many colors and so many shades you have to show him what color you mean.
I would think any long time friendship, there is a silent understanding that we "love" each other. If it's verbalized, clearly that would be the meaning. If its a man/woman friendship I supposed it has to be clarified a bit, but normally each person knows the status. Then if we're talking a courtship, and it's gotten to a point of declaring "love"....well.....man what a great moment that is. A big long hug, and emotionally laden kiss, would be an acceptable way.