We have two beautiful kids together, live together and have been together (on and off) for 9 years. He says we're boyfriend and girlfriend when he introduces me to co-workers and stuff but he doesn't says he loves me. How much should I put up with? I love this man with all my heart and he says he doesn't want to hurt me if he says it and that he wants to better himself before he puts himself in that kind of relationship where he can say it freely. But waiting for him to be ready is hard when I'm already ready, waiting for him to say it is painful. I'm at that point where I want to marry this man but.... How much longer should I wait. Because I want what's best for my kids, they love their daddy so much and to break away from this would kill them as much as it would kills me. Help?