How long did it take for you to know you were in love and to say it?

[Shameandregret]

Was having this conversation today with some people at work. It varied wildly from about 6 hours to one couple who have been together 3 years and haven't said it yet ha! Although they definitely love each other .

Just wondered what the average/consensus is? There is always a lot of talk of red flags on here, one being love bombing!

[Littllillies]

5 months, sadly I was dumped shortly after.

[MrsBartlet]

3 weeks. Still together 24 years later so didn't do us any harm

[MrsBungle]

It was around a month. Engaged within 3 months and been married 10 years now. We'd both been in at least a couple of other long term relationships and were late 20's. I think I had the experience to know the difference between love and lust at the time.

[Shameandregret]

littlelillies that's awful! Sorry to hear that

[GinaBambino]

littlelilies that's awful! for you

With exh it took around a month for him to say it. Strangely it took me around 6 months to say it back.

With DP it took 3 months but I was so happy he said it, I burst into tears and couldn't say it back. He was slightly concerned but still together 3 years later!

[MrTCakes]

4 months.

[witsender]

About 4 months here I think.

[TheNaze73]

Sorry to hear that lillies & it kind of reinforces my feeling on it. My ex wife told me after a month, which felt proper weird but, I was young & went with it. My current partner, said it after a year & I reciprocated. I knew & she knew already by the actions around it, that backed it up. I think those 3 little words, mean a lot & mean something different to everyone. I've been with people that say it at least 5 times a day, which doesn't feel right, it's almost habitual, yet being with someone who says it once a month maybe, it means a lot more. It's a great question OP, I'm just in the cautious side, as I think it means a lot to say that

[YouMakeMyDreams]

Around 2 months with dh. He'd been away for a few days and beforehand I wasn't bothered about him going but when he was away I realised I missed him so much. It wasn't planned it just came out. We were both very cynical and hadn't planned on anything serious. He told me he loved me too.
He still gives me butterflies when I look at him. We are in private the most ridiculously loved up couple. I keep sarcastically saying aren't we cute because I am not known for my overt sloppiness in relationships. And old habits die hard

[Chasingsquirrels]

I can't remember. For a long time I kept telling him it was just sex and we would crash and burn. It wasn't and we haven't.

[Di11ligaf]

5 days. He said it first. 2 weeks later he proposed. 3 months later we got married. 33 years, 2 kids and 2 grandkids later we're still proving the doubters wrong.

[Shameandregret]

Wow it is so subjective! On here reflects RL, no consensus.

I guess that's relationships for you Di you give old hard hearted cynics like me the warm fuzzies!

[pringleschips]

DH said it to me after 6 months, I said it to him after 12 months. We got married after 5 years together. Didn't feel the need to rush.

[bitchingtwitching]

About 2 weeks, he said it first and then I took about a week to say it back. We tell each other lots of times a day, but I came from a not very loving marriage beforehand so am probably overly soppy.

[notagiraffe]

Love at first sight for Dh and me. We both just knew. Think it took us a month or so to say it, six months until we got engaged. Still together 22 years later. I love DH. He's so gentle and cuddly and makes me laugh.

[RedMapleLeaf]

A few weeks I think. This feeling kept bubbling up inside me and I felt as though I would burst if I didn't say it soon.

I think that the type of love you are feeling and expressing changes with time. At the moment I'm feeling the excited, lustful, happy kind of love.