My cat will not leave me alone. She's in my lap all day when I'm at the computer, then on my chest at night when I go to bed. If I try to lay on my side, she'll meow until I roll over.
She becomes agitated when I prepare to leave the apartment. I can't sit down to tie my shoes, else she'll get in my lap and try to stay put.
She'll be eighteen this or next month. I was in elementary school when my parents got her as a kitten.
She's not independent.
I don't think cat's being extremely loving is that unusual.
My mom complained that her cat also will even follow her trip the bathroom and try to get into her lap when she sits down.
I think highly social cats are much gentler, less in-your-face, than dogs. Cats match my rhythm better, and if I'm working home all day on a computer, it's nice to have a vibrating buddy.
I only say almost though, because he could definitely be normal-cat-moody sometimes. The most dog-like cat I've ever known. He was a good boy. :)