I'm a firm believer in when you truely feel it, tell the person. I never believed in the man should have to make the first move or the man should say I love you first.

It shouldn't be awkward if he doesn't say it back and you shouldn't see it as rejection if he doesn't say it back. Telling someone "I love you" is about you telling that person your feelings for them, it's not about his feelings for you.

Oh dear and here I just complained this guy said it to me after the 3rd date...lol...well you could just whip it out there (I too believe the guy should say it first....but not after the third date).....I say give it a whirl if you're really feeling it like Leather says below- I think a year is more than ample but I'm not sure to what degree you're relationship is at but this way you at least find out where he stands and go from there. Good luck and xoxo!!

Waiting is tough...and I feel like you do...I refused to say it first. BUT OMG WHEN HE FINALLY SAID IT.....It was worth the wait!! LOL Now he tells me everyday so don't worry good things come to those who wait......LOL

Their is no set time. If you feel like you love him then say it. It doesn't have to be the guy who says it first. Maybe he's waiting for you too?

If you feel it, say it. Then watch to see how he reacts, whether he says it back, how sincere he is. Then you'll know what kind of relationship you're in.

At this stage of your relationship I would tell him. Yeah you want to wait for him but you need to make sure he feels the same. Perhaps you have a fear that if he doesn't say it back then you might stand to lose something you have. Go ahead and share your feelings with him. If he feels the same, perhaps he is scared too like you.
I told the guy I was with after 4 months and this was after I went there and he told me he wasn't interested. I did share it with him that my intent was to go there and tell him that and that wasn't the response I wanted but better to find out sooner than later. I am old fashioned too but sometimes we just have to take a stand for ourselves. :) Best to you! The time will come when it feels appropriate to say.

If you love someone, why would you refuse to tell them? I understand the fear aspect, buy what is the other person feels the same? Then you just have a mexican stand-off, both parties get angry and frustrated and the relationship crumbles.

I think that when the time is right the words will be said. To me there doesn't have to be any certain time set as mentioned above I just think when you feel the moment is right you should go with it. I think what makes it most difficult to say for either partner is the fear that their partner might not say it back or react in a way that you do not want to see.

Anyway you might be nervous but I have no doubt when the time is right you will have the courage to say it and feel comfortable doing it. Just try not to focus on it so much as this will only cause you to have more doubts and fears.:)

To me daying you love someone on the third date (only using as an example, not picking on anyone) would be a HUGE red flag...but that's just me. As soon as people have sex (humans that is) they believe they are in love....NOT!

Maybe we should all take a step back and ask: "how do you define being loved?".

To my way of thinking, it involves the developement of trust (do you trust someone after the third date?); the development of security (third date?)...how do they treat your kids? your property? boundaries? are they a giving lover? do they communicate well? how do they handle conflict (HUGE FOR ME)?

Maybe I have become overly cautious and/or a bit jaded, but the next time a woman says she loves me; it's gonna have to be with more than three words! She's going to have to show me in a whole host of other ways before I will truly believe those words because, to me, love is so much more...

Thanks so much for all of your replies. I have decided to tell him as soon as the moment is right. I cannot wait any longer and as mentioned if he does not reciprocrate, I am better off knowing now rather than continue on with misconceptions or a relationship to nowhere.
He may be nervous too since he is not vocally expressive, as in the the little things like: you look nice tonight, I can't wait to see you, I miss you,etc. I have chalked it up to his personality and have accepted it because I believe his actions speak volumes.

Well here goes nothing or maybe everything...time will tell.

Thanks again!

if i were you id just tell him..he could be nervous about saying it and is waiting for you to say it first..i felt the same way as you...wanted to say it first but didnt want to be rejected..ive been in a relationship for 2yrs now and after 4 months (i think it was) he came out and said it first..believe me it will be the happiest day of your life when he says it...hopefully he says it back if you say it first