first i'd like to say greetings to all, this is my first post and sorry if its not in the correct place.
ok, so, we started off being friends with benefits about a year or so (maybe more) ago. about 2 months into the friendship she and i had a talk about "are we dating or just staying friends with benefits?"... so because by this time we had never argued we would always hang out, no issues i decided to put a label on the friendship and become bf and gf. now since this time it has been about 10-11 months since we have been in a serious relationship and just the other day she told me she was really falling in love with me and she loves me. now me being me and didnt want to be fake about it i replied with, "i am glad you were able to tell me that and i appreciate it, however i cant say the same about you just yet"... i really dont know when i can say that to her, there is no time frame or switch i can activate.... sometimes i think to my self do i even know what love is? i will be honest and upfront with anyone reading this, i am not really the "lovie dovie" type of guy... (the last serious relationship i had was 4-5 years ago)
long story short i am now in a dire situation because i thought this train was going way too fast and way too far so i sort asked to pull the brakes and take some time off. why am i having these mixed feelings and doubts that if this relationship doesnt work out in the future both of us will be really hurt? i have asked her that same question she says "you will not know until you try" well true but we are no longer 17 and 18... where we have 5-10 years to burn...
lets put love aside for a moment and look at the reality of the situation. i compare her to a few girls i know both personally and through other people and her traits are great, shes got a good personality, shes not an a-hole, we both like to do things in common (minus some stuff but you get my drift).
ever since this situation came up, i have been anxious, my stomach feels like its on a roller coaster ride, i am just not myself.
what do you think? what would you do if you were in my shoes?