Difference between a marriage proposal and a marriage conversation?

Hi ladies. I want to know the difference between a marriage proposal and a marriage conversation. I honestly don't know the difference. My boyfriend and I have been together for about a year now. My boyfriend and I have had conversations in the past that had me looking at him from the corner of my eye. First thing was, when we first got back together, he said that his ex before me wanted him to marry her

But he didn't want to marry her. After asking why he said that it was because he didn't want to commit to a marriage. He said 3 exes before her also pressured him to get married and he turned them all down. But with me, he joked about me having his last name, which I told him never to do since it's not funny or a game. I told him in order for me to use that last name, it'll have to be my legal last name. He made another joke about maybe I'd be the one he'd married although he didn't want to marry 3 of his past women Once again i told him to stop. Then another day he mentioned why he felt like the commitment would be too much. So I had a heart to heart talk to him about it, as if he was only my friend not as my man. Well, after that I didn't expect to discuss this subject again. This all took place within the past 4 months the last 3 situations within 1 month. Well Until the other day we were riding In the vehicle, and he expressed how much he loved and liked me.lol I also expressed mines to him. Before he could stop and pump the gas he turned around and said he's been thinking about matrimony. I said ok. He said with you. I said with me?? He said yes. I've been thinking about I want to marry you. He said if I asked you what would I say. I said I'd say yes! So he said ok. I asked him if he was joking because it's not funny. He said that he wasn't joking. I said well if that's what you want to do its fine but if you change your mind and you don't want to that's fine too. So he said ok. I asked him why now does he want to commit to marriage or feel like I'd be the one and he said because he love me and doesn't want to lose me. (BTW when we broke up, it was only because I was younger and had to move because of living conditions at the time. So I just decided to break it off with him rather than have a long distance relationship). So I guess I'm left to wonder: was that his lame ass way of proposing? Or was he only asking a question? Because after the question, he kinda planned our life which, had me caught off guard and stunned?