why do neurotypicals get so weird when I express genuine gratitude/love for them?

I know this may seem strange, but I've noticed some things recently and I'm wondering if this is a common struggle or not.

I don't make connections with people often or easily. I am very picky about who I trust, and after being abused during my childhood, I am often "too much" for normal people. When I do find those connections, I connect deeply, I will be there for them no matter what, and do everything I can to help them succeed in life.

After being abused countless times, manipulated due to my lack of social skills, etc, I am always very thankful for these rare people who I form deep and mutual bonds with. Sometimes I think about them, and I just feel a deep love and gratitude for their place in my life, and I want to express it. Here's an example:

"I just want you to know that I'm incredibly thankful to have you in my life. You are an awesome person, and I appreciate you immensely. I want nothing more than to see you happy, and I hope that I can positively contribute to your life as much as you have mine."

Usually, they respond... Weirdly. Awkwardly perhaps? Also, WTF is with people being so weird about the word "Love"?!?! Like YES, I love my friends, I love my boyfriend, I love my family, I love my pets, and I want to tell them, because after everything I've been through, I've learned that life is too god damn short and miserable not to share your heart with people, but NT's take it SO weird! They ALWAYS assume I mean romantically. I have literally resorted to using latin words for love because I don't know how to fucking express to them that I have love for them, even though the god damn definition OF love is "an intense feeling of deep affection." It's not INHERENTLY romantic!

It's so confusing! Why do they always try to read into my words?! I feel like half my social trauma comes from fucking NT's not realizing that I'm not trying to speak some kind of secret fucking deceptive language, or not picking up on theirs. It makes me socially isolate, I can't do it.