I just noticed something.
FFVII 10th anv Ult Aerith's profile.
Two years after returning to the planet, Aerith still lives on in the hearts of her friends who saved the planet. And in particular to Cloud, as a symbol of his failure to having being unable protect those dear to him, she was a major factor in causing him to close himself off.
CoLW
Cloud was her friend, her beloved — a symbol of what was important to her, and someone to be protected.
It's funny how Cloud and Aerith see each other as symbols of something rather than individuals leading up to AC/C. Of course I have always favored the idea that Hito put out not long after translation that Aeirth was listing off things and then stated Cloud is a symbol of all that. If she had gone on would it have been "friend, koibito, comrade, mother, cat, flowers......"?
And if we apply the speaking literally standard to the top quote is Aerith Clouds Mom, Zack and Tifa as well?