<human>: Can you provide a brief overview of the text?

To cut out all of the sappy stuff, we hit it off immediately. There isn't anything I'd change about our relationship at this point and what we've already experienced together. We have taken things at our own pace for the duration of the relationship as to make sure we are not rushing things; in essence, we want to make sure that we are both completely sure and comfortable with each step in the relationship. I *felt* like I've loved him since about the 6 month mark. I *knew* I did by about 9 months. It's coming up on the 1 year mark for us. I've been wanting to tell him, but I've chickened out each time. I know he is crazy about me and has expressed that. We just haven't actually said "love" yet. I am pretty certain after things he's said/done that he either is in love or, at the very least, is very close to feeling that way. I know it sounds a tad lame obsessing over this. I've never said "I love you" to a boyfriend before. He's been my longest relationship. Still too soon to want to get married, so it's not even like I'm wanting to rush things. I know for a fact that I love him. I just freak out each time and don't want to mess things up.

I know most of this is me psyching myself out. I've been kind of waiting and hoping he'd say it first, but knowing him, he could very well be doing the same thing. We're both stubborn, which doesn't help if this is the case haha.

I know I'm *going* to tell him, so this isn't a matter of telling him or not. I also know I'll tell him in person rather than text or over the phone because that's just not a personal way to convey such a personal message, especially for the first time. I guess the
<bot>: of my question is this: Reddit, is there any advice on how to keep from chickening out and just saying "I love you" for the first time?