I don't get why some people are so touchy about not wanting to call their boyfriend/girlfriend "babe" or "baby."

Just because a lot of people do it, you don’t want to do it. You want to make “special” nicknames. You want to be “unique.” 

Okay so when I get married, I’m not going to call the one I marry my wife. Because every other guy calls their wife that.

You want to be unique, go for it. You’ll be unique just like everyone who wants to be unique.

It shouldn’t really matter what you call your significant other. Just so long as they are significant.