Why is it so hard for me to say I️ love you to him

I recently got out of a three year long abusive relationship lately I reconnected with an old friend, someone who’s waited for me for three years. I’m feeling so much love and happiness with him and I feel so safe. He’s the kinda guy you look at him and you just know for sure he won’t hurt you. You look into his eyes and you can just see a forever.

I️ feel happy I️ want to be with him all the time and he’s so great and ok with taking things slow. I️ feel spoiled and loved by him and his whole family.

He’s said I️ love you to me and he’s been saying I️t everyday. I️ feel very bad that I️ can’t say it back in person or over text, my feelings are getting stronger every time I️ see him but those three words are just somehow too hard to say...😔

Maybe the past three years fucked me up too badly I️ think I️ don’t deserve this sweet guy. Or maybe I’m just not ready even though everyone’s telling me to give the nice one a chance. Or maybe I️ feel too much pressure because everyone is starting to get excited and joke about planning our wedding when I️ barely started dating him...

I️ know one thing for sure—he rebuilt me and I️ so appreciate him being in my life💕