A recent series of events has shaken my world. According to a very good friend, I am most likely making mountains out of molehills and I should just "chill the f@(% out" (my words, not hers). But this series of events has left me with a question - probably better answered by a guy.

Some brief background:

I have been in some sort of relationship with a very sweet guy for over two years now, and, although I've used certain terms of endearment, I've never used the "L" word in any way, until very recently. Now, bear in mind, I haven't used the 143 formula, I've simply ended a couple of communications with "love ya," which, to me, and my very good friend, seems very informal and friendly. But I'm not a guy, and although I do have some idea how the mind of man works, I guess I'm not as intuitive as I think I am.

So, the question is, "how and when is it okay to use the "L" word in a relationship?"