Should a 2.8 year old be saying 'I love you' spontaneously?

[Exceptionalroar]

When do kids start saying I love you? Although DS will repeat it after us he hasn't said it spontaneously yet. I wouldn't say he's overly affectionate he loves to be carried, his version of a cuddle is to put his head on your shoulder and I can't remember the last time he kisses me spontaneously. He's very lovely and communicative and very very sweet but It would be nice to hear him say I love you. Are my expectations too high? X

Hope so Val; 6 years later they say it to each other all the time

My ds (4) has told me today "I love you mummy as much as a..... germ" followed by "I love you mummy as much as a....... fart". He's quite the charmer.

That's lovely Spock

Ds says it regularly at bedtime after I say it ( we have a routine of things we say at bedtime which he repeats, but recently he often withholds it deliberately as he giggles so seems to realise that I want to hear it

But a couple of weeks ago, sat on my lap and put both arms around my neck and said I love you a couple of times. It brought tears to my eyes as it was so spontaneous and genuine.
He is 2.9