Here's my take. Not trying to bust your chops, just challenging you to think a bit differently:
Quote: He does tell me often how wonderful I am, how beautiful I am, sexy, funny, smart...but he never uses words which would indicate respect or admiration.
To me, those very words are his indications of respect and admiration for you. Be care of your expectations. Seems like you're digging for him to make comparisons, perhaps to OW1 or OW2? If you are feeling insecure or unsure, making staying in the here-and-now, and telling him, "I'm feeling insecure for some reason, and I'd like to snuggle/a hug". [Remember the common MOS behavior of expecting mind-reading versus directly communicating].
Quote: I just find it kind of sad that he doesn't seem to get how amazing I really am, especially after my journey of the past 18 months.
This seems like another dangerous "should". Stay with the mindset that the world is unfair, that "shoulds, oughts, and musts" are nonsense, and that his differences from you are for a variety of reasons, not merely one possibility.
I admire all of you in the Piecing Forum. So many of us start out in Newcomers only dreaming of the fairytale reconciliation moment, not realizing that that moment is when the real DBing work begins.
You may never get that acknowledgment or "thank you" for all of your efforts from SO, M. Are you okay with that? Is having your R back as your reward enough?
In my sitch, when these insecurities and expectations creep in, its usuallly a sign that I need to amp up my GAL/self-care work.
You take great care of your wonderful self, okay Hon?
