What is the ruling on the words mentioned in the story, and is this considered an act of love for the Prophet, may Allah bless him and grant him peace?

These exaggerations do not stem from the legitimate love for the Prophet (peace be upon him). Such a statement does not amount to disbelief (kufr), for wishing for disbelief does not constitute disbelief unless it is accompanied by approving of disbelief, not by abhorring it, as stated by Al-Halimi. An example of this is the supplication of Moses (peace be upon him) against Pharaoh: "{Our Lord, obliterate their wealth and harden their hearts so that they will not believe until they see the painful punishment}" (Quran 10:88). He wished that Pharaoh and his people would not believe, yet this did not harm him. Legitimate love is wishing for what the Prophet (peace be upon him) loves and prioritizing it over personal preferences, such as the stance of Omar ibn Al-Khattab (may Allah be pleased with him) with Al-Abbas ibn Abd Al-Muttalib (may Allah be pleased with both of them).