Does your partner tell you he loves you back?

[nc1013]

Been with bf just under a year, took him about 7/8 months before he said he loved me. I felt it earlier but didn't want to say it and make things awkward. At least when he said it I felt like he genuinely meant it and I wasn't overly bothered as he was so caring and treats me so well that I didn't doubt his feelings towards me even if he wasn't particularly verbal.

Now that he's said it, he says it now and again. Just out the blue at random times which is nice. Whenever he says it to me I say it back. I obviously mean it but to me it's just the normal response.

However anytime I say it to him first he acknowledges it but doesn't reciprocate. We had a really nice night out together the other night, I said it and he kissed me.
After I left this morning and we were texting and I said it again and he replied "that makes me happy". Then a jokey meme totally unrelated....

He's mid 40s and not inexperienced in relationships so I'm wondering if this is him being hot and cold or if he only says it when he's personally been thinking it first??

In case it's relevant he's not NT. Diagnosed ADHD but suspect it's a bit more than that.

Is anyone else's partner like that? Am I over thinking?

He might just want to say it on his own terms not when you say it first.

I'm a bit like this. Dp started saying it before I did but now while i do say it I prefer to say it when I'm feeling it in the moment rather than because it might be expected of me. My dp is fine with it luckily.

Don't take it personally. Your dp probably just pefers to say it when he's really feeling it.

I've been with DP for about 10 months. I've said it a couple of times in the moment - he's said it once to be but also said he cares but he's not there quite yet.......he was married for 23 years and have an acrimonious divorce - I think he doesn't want to say it til he knows he really means it and is absolutely sure. He's said he was worried about jumping in to a new relationship but he's happy he has

That sounds lovely @Blushingm and I think sometimes when people take their time it can be even more special as you know how sincere it is.

I'm confused as my bf can go from being quite soppy and gushy, to not even saying anything in response.

I'm tempted to do it back to show him how it feels but I'm not into game playing.

It's almost like he doesn't know social norms/social cues in some situations but I feel if I bring it up he'll say it every time I do in response but it won't necessarily be sincere

My bf said it very early on (but we had known each other a lot longer) and he said I’m not expecting you to say it back (as it was early). I didn’t, but then did a few weeks later. So if we are together in person he always says it back, or says it first, but on text if I say I love you, he doesn’t always reply with it back, but says other nice stuff to me. I’m fine with that, I don’t think it always need an automatic I love you back, but if he rarely says it that wouldn’t fill me with confidence. My bf is very open and is always telling me he fancies me, how pretty I am etc, which I am not used to. It’s nice though. So I don’t feel he needs to always say it back as I know how he feels about me

I've been with other half for years and he always says it back but he's quite more lovey dovey than me.
I think I don't say it often to be honest