I've been seeing a guy for 7+ months now. We have established that we are exclusive, we see each other regularly, and we're also physically intimate.
But to me it feels like an exclusive FWB or situationship. He's respectful and everything, but it doesn't feel like I'm a priority and I don't feel like he is emotionally investing in me. He's never invited me to share his hobbies, and we'll go out to dinner and stuff, but he always refers to it as "hanging out". He keeps saying he's not ready to officially define the relationship and call me his gf, integrate me into his life, or introduce me to family and friends/meet my family and friends. He's not sure when he'll be ready.
I've made it clear from the start that I'm looking for a relationship. He says his intentions towards me are genuine and he really cares about me, etc. He says he could see a future with me and not interested in seeing anyone else but me, but he's just not sure yet. But he says he's always moved slower like this, even in previous relationships. So he says it's not something do with me specifically, but rather him. Every time I've brought it up he gives me the same response.
I am happy to give him time to move at his own pace IF his reasons genuine.
During my last relationship, for example, my ex said "I love you" a few months before I was ready to say it back. Eventually, I was ready. But if my ex at the time had asked "when will you be ready", I wouldn't have had an answer for him. So I understand two people in a relationship having genuine intentions but just moving at different paces.
But I'm also confused. This guy has reassured me I'm not a placeholder, but I still feel like he's treating me like one. I also I feel like it shouldn't take a man 8+ months to know if he wants to make a woman his gf.
I guess I'm just curious what others think or if you've been in a similar situation on either side.