I completely understand where you are coming from with this. With my girlfriend I just love the warm feeling I get when I cuddle up with her on her couch. It is just an awesome feeling, turns out she is in Chicago right now..and I'm not.
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But yeah I don't think it is the physical feeling you get out of it, but the mental feeling. You get the 'Wow there is somebody for me, and (s)he is right here with me.' Hope ya feel better *gives cookie*.