straczynski says...

I have this theory that the more important and intimate the emotion, the fewer the words are required to express it. 

For instance, in dating, “Will you go out with me?”  Six words.
“I think I care for you.”  Five words.
“You matter to me.”  Four words.
“I love you.”  Three words.
“Marry me.”  Two words.
So what’s left?  What’s the most important and intimate word you can ever say to somebody?  It’s “goodbye.”