First "I love you"?

So my boyfriend and I have been together a few months and we are going strong. We're long distance at the moment, and we Skype or call often. Tonight he played a trick on me, leaving his phone a to do something in another room for a few minutes while it charged. I had headphones on and was walking to the kitchen when he did a bit of a yell to startle me for fun after he came back to his phone.
As I acted playfully annoyed (I was startled to say the least), he's laughing and smiling and he goes, "Okay okay, I'm sorry, I love you. I couldn't resist doing that."
He went on a bit more as we both had a laugh and I realized what he has said, saying in an 'annoyed' tone, "you're lucky I love you too."
Though it was playful, it was the first time he's said it. Is that how a guy smoothly says I love you for the first time? 😂 if you have first ily stories, feel free to comment!