Thank you. That's what I thought too. There is no extra effort in being loved, but we all know it can be a huge difference in surviving and healing. I have asked my therapist, is it possible that the brain simply isn't sending my love onto the rest of her body as it normally would? I had long Covid, not nearly as severe as she, but bad enough, two years ago, and the thing I wanted every day was for her to say something loving, and she always did, and it always worked. But she never wants to talk about it. Today is the anniversary of our first kiss; it used to be the biggest of deals every year. Today, nothing. I know she has it on her calendar. And on my birthday, this follow-up text: "I apologize that I am not reciprocating." I have trusted her these many months that all her energy goes to her health, but this circles back to the main point: it shouldn't take any energy to be the beneficiary of someone else thinking you're worth everything. I salute you for facing long Covid alone. I wish I could say more than a good luck and God bless you to heal, but I won't neglect saying that.