Thanks for sharing that JR.
When my kid was very young, before he began talking, I read somewhere that "I love you" is such a profoundly powerful statement that babies understood, people that were unconscious or even in comas had some reaction, etc, so I told him that every time it was my turn to read him bed time stories. He's 16 now so it seems weird but we still do the I love you exchanges occasionally when he goes to bed.
Not sure that dad and I have ever done the exchange, but I know how he feels. I didn't know my grandfather on dad's side very well because he died when I was young, but all third party accounts I've heard were that he was very tough so I doubt that I love yous were exchanged between him and dad.
Mom has some stroke related dementia and is subject to tell you that she loves you 10 times in a visit. Makes me cry sometimes.