Scared to tell him

Y'all, I'm scared to say I love you. I'm so close to it slipping out it's ridiculous and I'm so scared it's going to. I don't know How he is going to react and I'm terrified but I feel it and I want it out there so I don't have to worry about it slipping.

Its a long distance thing so i don't know if I should talk to him about it next visit or just in a text or what.

I've thought about just saying it and letting it go then again maybe telling him in person that he doesn't have to say it back or feel it but I have to get it out.

Any advice please!??!