Oh...I became the one in my family that always said it. In fact, maybe I say it too much?
It's a whole lot of complicated stuff in my childhood that motivated me to do but now it's just a habit. Funny enough, it wasn't because of American media, like the article said, but Japanese animation that encouraged me to do so.

My parents and brother always response back (most of the time). My mother sometimes gets suspicious of me if I say it too often. But after years of doing it—since middle school—it's pretty much just what I do.

I definitely initiate the I love you's most of the time but I've been reciprocated enough times that I don't mind being left hanging. It makes me feel good and my family doesn't mind. Although sometimes I use it passive-aggressive to counteract nagging.

Fact is, I'm American and that how I show love to my parents. I'm also Asian so I do my best to understand them. I guess I just took it on as my role, as a 2nd gen immigrant, to help them (1st gen) get acculturated to American culture.