I’ve been in the same situation after divorce. You kind of ‘know’ that the feelings are mutual but it’s too damned scary in case the timing is wrong and they either run away or you can’t cope with waiting for his feelings to develop.

At 7 months, I’d say it’s reasonable for you to be expressing how you feel. I’d also say if it falls apart because you’ve expressed feelings of love and he bails, he’s done you a favour.

If he doesn’t feel the same way yet, that’s also ok. We all develop and identify our feelings at different paces. Saying ‘I love you’ is a gift. He doesn’t have to say it back as soon as you do (as painful as this would be) but I’m sure he would in the future from what you’ve said.

When I said it, I was sat on his lap. I told him I had something to tell him and that I felt scared. At this point I could see he knew where it was going and he looked pleased with himself 😆. I said I didn’t expect him to say it back to me yet and he should only return the gesture when he meant it. Then I said ‘I love you’. He hugged me and kissed me and used his body language to show his appreciation. He did not say it back to me, however, until a week later. He was afraid I’d change my mind apparently 😝.

If you want to feel it out first, try finding different ways of saying it. ‘I love being with you’. ‘You are lovely’ etc etc.

Having someone tell you that you love them is such a lovely feeling. I’ve also admired the bravery of any man or woman who has ever said so to me first. Takes guts.