Relationships should be built on honesty, trust, and vulnerability. Don't be scared to show him how you feel so you can move forward together and have a deeper, more meaningful relationship. It's definitely scary to say how you feel, but it's the best thing to do, both for yourself and the other person.
Should you say it first? In general, if two people love each other, it doesn't matter who says "I love you" first. If you're not sure whether your partner feels the same way you do, you can still tell them how you feel—just be mindful of why you're doing it.
Letting someone know that they are loved helps to make them feel secure in the relationship. The sweetest way is to just say, “You know, I really love you.” This is the best way to make sure you both are on the same page moving forward.
This depends entirely on the man. Some men might consider it excessively needy, while others might be flattered and respond accordingly. However, it is usually wiser for the woman to wait until the man uses this expression first. Moreover, some men tend to express their "love" in actions rather than words.
A man who's falling in love tends to show his desire for greater closeness and intimacy in many different ways. He will likely prioritize spending time with you and put in real effort to make you happy. He may show you his softer side, while also serving as a source of strength and comfort when you need it most.
The question of when to say “I love you” in a relationship is a contentious one. In the many conversations I've had on the topic, the consensus seems to be that three months in is the sweet spot. But that feels like a lifetime to me. In all my serious relationships, the L-word was dropped closer to three weeks.
Men usually say it first, and it's for the reason you think
A 2011 study published in the Journal of Sociology Psychology found that, while both male and female college students believe women tend to say “I love you” first, it's actually men who fall in love faster and say the L-word earlier.
Ultimately, you want to say “I love you” whenever you feel completely ready, but doing it too soon probably isn't the best move. It isn't so much about the length of time you have been together, but rather about the nature of your relationship. Feelings of love are not formed immediately.
While early relationship feels (and hormones) can be intoxicating, relationship experts warn that it might be a red flag if you or your partner is too quick to say, “I love you.”
In many ways, men may fall in love in a way that mimics the female experience. The early stages can involve an infatuation with someone else, which can slowly deepen into trust, compassion and deep attachment. Men may also fall in love quickly and feel a strong need for affection from their partners.
In a 2022 study that included over 1,400 participants, researchers discovered that men usually say “I love you” before women do, a tendency that held true across the US and 6 countries that were included in the study's results.
According to one survey, men take an average of 88 days to tell a partner "I love you," compared to a woman's 134. Moreover, 39 percent of men say "I love you" within the first month of dating someone, compared to just 23 percent of women.
Guys actually like when you say it first.
The pressure of responding to an "I love you" is way less than the pressure of saying it first. Think of saying it first as doing a favor, which is something you do for people you love.
Be straightforward and come to the point and make him realise that he can be honest with you and express his feelings for you without being judged or critiqued. There are many body language signs like his gaze, his way of talking to you and more such things that can help you know how he feels for you.
Both Cosgrove and Ruiz agree that it's best to say those three special words once you have spent at least three to five months getting to know your partner, where you've likely also talked about future plans you'd like to experience together, whether that be marriage or even just a vacation.
How long does it really take to fall in love? According to Katie Ziskind, a holistic licensed marriage and family therapist in Niantic, Connecticut, it can take between 2 weeks and 4 months to love someone. But it may take longer before a person actually considers telling their partner they love them.
In general, you should wait until you feel ready and you have a sense of security in your relationship. But, there's no timeline for saying “I love you” for the first time. In fact, for some people, thinking about when to say “I love you” isn't a big deal.
Things You Think About Him
If you love a guy, you may find yourself thinking about him often — even when you don't really want to. If he's the first thing on your mind when you wake up, and the last thing you think of before you go to sleep, this is a sign that you have serious feelings about him.
A guy who has strong feelings for you will want to know everything about you and will make a genuine effort to get to know you better. He'll also use body language that makes him appear more approachable, like eye contact and having an open, relaxed posture.