We all want to hear our partners tell us how they feel about us, especially if it’s to tell us they love us, it feels special.
Wanting to hear those three words for the first time ‘I love you’ is anxiety-inducing!
If you’re with a guy who finds it hard to show his emotions or say that he loves you, there will be signs he’s close to saying it.
Here are 15 signs he is close to saying ‘I love you’, and how you can help him a little!
Is He Close to Saying I Love You? 15 Signs Say He Is!
1. You’ve Told Him You Love Him and He Smiled
One of the best ways to tell if a guy loves you or is close to saying it himself is to tell him you love him and see how he reacts.
There is a range of possible reactions, but obviously, any positive reaction is good, and smiling gives away a few things.
It shows that he was happy to hear you say you loved him, as well as being a body language cue that he wants to say something, but can’t.
If only you could read his mind at that time!
Related – Still no ‘I love you’ after one year into your relationship?
2. He Says You’re ‘Special’
When a guy uses the word ‘special’ to describe you, it’s a good indicator that he’s thinking about saying ‘I love you’.
Saying you’re special is a way a lot of guys change the word ‘love’ because it’s too strong for them, but they’re basically saying it.
As long as you’re receptive to being called ‘special’ I’m sure he’s getting closer to saying he loves you.
3. He Talks About Being Together Forever
When a guy starts talking about the future and includes you in it, it means he’s really fallen for you.
It could be something as simple as him saying he would love to book a holiday together, or it could be more serious like talking about getting a place together.
He wouldn’t be committing to spending the future together if he didn’t love you, so it’s only a matter of time until he says it.
4. He Says He’s Never Felt Like This About Anyone Before
Another way some guys will say they love you without actually saying the word is by telling you that he’s never felt the way he does about you before.
Maybe they’re naive and don’t realize that’s because it’s love, but it’s going to hit them at some point!
This is a good sign he’s close to saying it.
If you’ve only been together a short while, don’t worry too much if he hasn’t said this yet, it’s better to wait and know he’s sure about his feelings than have him rush into it.
5. He’s Super Attentive to Your Every Need
This is another sign that a guy is in love, so it’s also a sign that he’s going to tell you in the near future.
When a guy is attentive, it means he’s always looking out for you, trying to make sure you’re happy and is genuinely interested in you as a person.
It could be little things like making you a coffee in the morning, listening to you, or taking care of you when you’re feeling down.
It’s all about being there for each other, and if he’s doing that, then he loves you.
6. His Friends Have Told You He Loves You
Often one of the ways you’ll find out how a guy really feels about you is through his friends as guys will be more open with friends than they are with you.
If his friends have told you he loves you, it’s a pretty good sign that he does!
It could be that he’s said it to them directly, or they might have just picked up on how he feels from the way he talks about you.
Either way, I bet this is what you want to hear and it’s a sign that he’s building up to tell you as well!
7. He Signs Off Notes With ‘Love’
Another way that it’s easier for some guys to tell their girlfriends that they love her is by writing it down rather than saying it.
He might not leave you a note saying ‘I love you’, but if he uses the word ‘love’ on notes he writes then this is a very clear sign he’s thinking it.
It shows that he’s comfortable using the word around you.
He’s probably waiting to see how you react or if you say anything and is getting used to the idea of saying it.
8. He Misses You Like Crazy When You’re Apart
If he’s always texting or calling you when you’re apart, it’s a sign that he misses you and can’t stand being away from you.
It means he’s really fallen for you and that love is definitely on his mind.
It might not be the ‘I love you’ that you want to hear, but it’s a sign that he’s getting there!
Related – Here are 12 signs that your partner really loves you.
9. He Drops Anything to Be with You
If you need him and he’s there, it’s basically like him telling you that he’s in love.
No matter what he’s doing or where he is, if he drops everything to be with you then you know it’s love.
Sure, you want to hear him say it and I’m sure he will. But falling in love is the step that comes before professing one’s love, so it’s a great sign.
I’m sure if you brought the topic up or made it easy for him to say it there is a good chance that he will.
10. He Wants You to Move in Together
Few things say that a guy is in love with you and more serious about committing to you than suggesting you move in together.
This is a huge step in a relationship, a sign that he’s definitely thinking long-term and that he wants you to be a part of his life forever.
It’s not just a sign that he loves you, but that he’s ready to take the next step in your relationship.
If he still hasn’t said he loves you, he clearly finds actions easier than words and is building up to it – it can’t be much longer now if he’s this serious about you.
11. He’s Starting to Open up About His Feelings
If you can tell your boyfriend or partner finds it difficult to talk about their feelings but they’re making steps forward towards opening up, it’s a sign they’re working towards saying those three words.
It probably feels like they’re taking forever, but it’s a really big deal for some guys to say those words and they want to make sure they mean it before they say it.
Seeing him make an effort to talk about his feelings is a start, now you just need to be patient!
12. He’s Told You He Finds It Hard to Say
This might be one of the most obvious signs that a guy wants to tell you that he loves you but can’t bring himself to do so.
If he’s actually told you that he finds it hard to say the words, he’s thinking about it and knows you want to hear it, but is too nervous.
All you can do is let him know that there is no pressure and when he’s ready to open up you’re going to be there listening!
13. He Says ‘I Do Too’ When You Say You Love Him
If you’ve said ‘I love you’ to your guy and he’s replied with ‘I do too’, it’s a pretty good sign that he loves you too!
It might not be the grand declaration of love that you were hoping for, but it’s a sign that he feels the same way and just can’t say the words yet.
He might think this is just as good as saying it back and might need a little reminder that it’s not quite the same thing!
14. He Wants You All to Himself
When a guy is in love, whether he’s said it out loud or not, he isn’t going to want to share you with anyone!
I don’t mean this in the controlling sense, he’s going to want to see you spending time with friends and being happy.
I’m talking about the romantic side of things. If he’s always trying to spend time alone with you, wanting to cuddle and be close, it’s a sign that he loves you.
He’s just looking or waiting for that perfect moment to tell you, I’m sure of it!
15. You Can Just Feel It!
This might be the strongest sign of all, and it’s the one sign that you can’t physically see or pick up on by how he’s behaving.
If you just feel like he loves you and he gets close to saying it, there’s a very good chance that he is close!
When there is love in the air, you can just feel it and sometimes that’s all the confirmation you need.
Combined with some of the body language cues that there is something on the tip of his tongue he wants to say and I’m sure you’re close to hearing those three magical words!
Image credits – Photo by Almos Bechtold on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.