We’ve (33M and 27F) been dating for 8 months. Things have been going pretty well, we’re affectionate, we laugh a lot, and he’s thoughtful in the day-to-day stuff. But when it comes to emotional vulnerability, he tends to hold back. He’s the “slow to open up” type, which I’ve tried to be patient with.
Last night, while we were falling asleep, he turned over, wrapped his arm around me, and very clearly mumbled, “I love you.” It wasn’t slurred or gibberish, it sounded intentional and warm. My heart basically exploded. I didn’t say anything in the moment because I wasn’t sure if he was fully awake.
This morning, I gently brought it up. I said something like, “Hey, last night you said ‘I love you’ — did you mean that?”
He blinked, looked confused, and said, “I did? Huh… maybe I was dreaming or something. I don’t remember. Could’ve been a dream.”
Was it a slip of the heart? A subconscious truth? Or do I just need to accept that we’re on different emotional timelines and not take it personally?
TLDR: He said I love you but "didn't mean it"?