Love Goddess,

In many threads on almost all the discussion boards, it seems evident that the term love is set aside exclusively for mutually romantic SO relationships or familial relationships.  Is not love a special human feeling manifested by deep caring, affection and concern with someone who has made a special connection with you?  Don't we love our close friends because they hold a special place in our hearts?  When a pet dies and our hearts break then isn't that because we loved them?  It seems to me that in the pure sense of this incredibly special human emotion, that there can be love found within a provider/client relationship.  It may not be the same as the SO feeling of love or the parent/child/sibling feeling of love but it can certainly be the love set aside for close friends.  I know that for me there are a couple of provider friends that I quite simply think the world of.  I care deeply for their happiness, their heatlh, their well-being, their families, etc.  I have no qualms with saying that I love them.  So in this context why is it that we tend to view love within the hobbiest world as taboo?  I'd apprecaite your view...