How to tell someone I have deeper feelings?

[152l2]

I am after some advice.
I'm 45 and a widowed (three years ago) father of one. I've been single since my wife died and not looking for a partner. However, I have met the most amazing, gorgeous and lovely lady who makes me feel like a giddy teenager again. We've been out for coffee, lunch, walks and text a lot as friends. This has been going on since the summer. We are meeting up next week and I would like to tell her how I feel about her and see if she feels anything towards me. It's been about 25 years since I've done anything like this, I'm terrified and have no idea what to actually say to her. Any ideas please???

Hiya, how do you know this lady?

Ooh, nice :)
"We've been meeting up so regularly it almost feels like a date! Um ... I don't suppose you'd fancy actually ... [pause to read her expression] dating?" [cheeky smile] "No pressure if you're not interested!"

(I wouldn't go into your feelings until she has shown some sign of them being welcome...)

@ravenmum
But if she thinks this way too then nobody will ever make a move.

After such a long time you should be able to tell if shes interested. Who initiates the things you do together? Maybe suggest an activity where you can test the waters a bit. Take her hand when youre walking and see how she reacts. A small gesture like that and go from there.

Can you actually ask her on something more date like? and gauge her reaction? like an evening meal?

@Jeleste I said he should ask her if she wants to go on a date :) Just that I would personally not start out by confessing feelings as such, as it puts her in an uncomfortable situation if she is not interested. Same with holding hands when walking. A guy did that to me once when I was not interested and it was incredibly embarrassing!

What age is she? Same as you? If you’re 40 and she’s a 22 year old she may see you as a father figure.

Did you meet in old? You say you’ve been out as friends. What’s that all about?

Does she know you have a child?

Does she think you have a lot of money and is a gold digger? (Sorry but it’s a valid point I have to ask. You have to consider your son and his inheritance - but granted that’s later in the dating game, however if you’re a millionaire and she knows it she could have an eye on your money rather than yourself)

Hi all, thanks for all the thoughts and ideas. Some good points mentioned that I hadn't considered.
To answer some questions, she's the same age as me (mid 40s), we met through a group our children attend, so, we both know each other has children.
I'm fairly sure she's interested but neither of us have said anything. It's fairly 50/50 as to who initiates the meet ups etc.
Thanks again. @jeleste I like the suggestion of asking her out on a date.

Agree dont announce your feelings. That seems a bit over the top and serious. Ask if you can take her out to dinner soon- there is a restaurant that you think she would love. That sort of implies a date quite strongly but still gives her a chance to say something like 'oh I can't get out much in the evenings, let's meet for coffee next week' and save either of you the embarrassing moment.