Either is correct, but both are colloquialisms. They would not be used in formal English. It’s normal to write ‘Lots of love’. It’s unusual to write ‘Loads of love’.

Classic Thesaurus. 2016. “Synonyms for Lots of love” https://www.classicthesaurus.com/lots_of_love/synonyms (accessed April 28, 2021)….List search.

LOL stands for Lots of Love Slang/chat, popular culture.

LOL is an acronym for “laugh out loud.” B. LOL means “lots of love.” LOL is an acronym commonly used in texts and social media posts, and it means “laugh out loud.”

I love you is a statement and loads of love is an adjective. It’s the same.

1 tr to have a great attachment to and affection for. 2 tr to have passionate desire, longing, and feelings for. 3 tr to like or desire (to do something) very much.

primarily it means ‘l love you’ though with an emphasis. same would be ‘i love you too much’. when in love — the words rules supreme in the head and meanders 24×7 in the mind. superlatives like ‘a lot’ or ‘too much’ are often used in written communications or telephone calls or face to face.

Just Meant It As A Friend He wants to convey that he loves you as a friend, and you are really important to him. He wants you by his side as a great friend, and he values you a lot. So, possibly he said it as an expression of affection and is grateful to have a person like you by his side.

No there is no difference between saying “I love you” and “love you”.