I have been seeing a guy for the last four months who is a little bit younger than me (2 yrs - I'm 30/F). We hit it off as great friends, and were friends for over a year prior to dating. He ended up breaking off a long-term relationship that he was very unhappy in to try to see where things would go with me (his ex had cheated, they were rarely intimate, and various other things). The problem is that his previous relationship was 7 years, and then he went striaght into trying to date me. I knew deep down it wouldn't work, as he needed time to heal. And it didn't. The first month was amazing, and then I think it started to hit him as he slowly pulled away.
He never really expressed he was needing time to heal, I truly believe because he doesn't want to hurt me or my feelings. I know it is going to take him time. I've given him space and kind of let him initiate hanging out and such, and we've decided not to label ourselves bf/gf, though neither of us are seeing other people. The kicker? He treats me exactly like a girlfriend, I just haven't met his entire family. (I met his brother and sister-in-law right off the bat).
My question is, if I continue to stay in it (I feel happy - although I would like us to be more serious, I feel like he can't give that right now), do you think he will eventually come around? I know each person is different in how long they take to heal. We go on dates currently, do dinner, go out with friends (mine as he just moved to the area two years ago and hasn't established many friendships), and just spend time together. I feel like if he didn't want to be with me period, he would have just given up by now. We have had plenty of times where he could have easily done so.
Any thoughts with this situation?