If you're the type of person who falls in love quickly and intensely, I understand you completely. In my case, it took me two weeks to realize that I was in love with my boyfriend, but I held back from telling him for six long months. It was a challenging wait since I was dying to say those three little words, but I wanted him to earn my affection before I confessed my feelings. Luckily, he did, and the wait was worth it.
1. I didn't want to tell him and find out he didn't feel the same way
Dealing with rejection is not my forte, and it's a real thing that happens. That's why when I realized I was head over heels in love with him, I didn't want to blurt it out right away. It was too soon, and I didn't want to come across as crazy, especially since we had only met a few weeks prior.
2. I wanted to hear it from him first
When my partner and I finally exchanged the words "I love you," it was him who said it first. Normally, I would be the first one to blurt it out, but this time I wanted to wait and hear it from him. It turned out to be a really meaningful moment for both of us.
3. We'd really gotten to know each other at that point, so it meant so much more
After six months together, I had gotten to know him pretty well, and I had a strong feeling that our relationship was heading in a positive direction. When we finally confessed our love for each other, it felt like the perfect time to do so. Our emotions were genuine, and it just felt right.
4. I tried to convey my feelings through my actions
Since I held back from saying "I love you," I expressed my feelings in other ways. I cooked him breakfast, brewed him coffee, and sent him sweet messages to wish him luck before work. I even tried to telepathically send him messages (you know you've tried it too!). I realized that there are many ways to show someone you love them without actually saying those three little words. Waiting to confess my love taught me the importance of expressing my feelings in different ways, and now I try to do it as often as I can.
5. I found out that he'd also felt that way early on
He confessed that he had similar feelings early on in our relationship, which made my heart skip a beat. It was a beautiful realization that we were both feeling the same way, but hesitant to express it. In a way, it was disgustingly romantic, but it made our relationship even more special.
6. I wanted to see if the feelings would last
It was crucial for me to determine whether my feelings for him were just deep infatuation or genuine love. I value my heart and have been hurt in the past by toxic men whom I had given my heart to too soon. Therefore, I wanted to ensure that our relationship was stable and had a strong foundation before committing my heart to it.
7. The slow burn kind of felt good
Call me a masochist, but the anticipation of confessing my love was kind of exciting! I remember so many moments when I was ready to tell him how I felt, but I held back, which kept things interesting. There were times when I was tempted to text or visit him after having a bit too much to drink, but I resisted the urge and I'm grateful that I did.
8. Love isn't enough
I've learned that a successful relationship requires more than just love. Trust is essential. When I realized that I was in love with him, I wasn't sure if I could trust him completely. After all, I barely knew him! In the past, I had confused love and trust and had been involved with men who didn't have my best interests at heart. I was determined not to make the same mistake again. By the six-month mark, I felt that I could trust him completely, and it made me incredibly happy.
9. There's only one first time
I'm grateful that I didn't rush into saying "I love you" this time around. You only get one chance to tell someone how you feel about them for the first time, and it doesn't have to be extravagant or particularly memorable. However, it should be when you can envision them as a part of your life, and perhaps even your future. I'm pleased that I waited until the timing felt right.
