Ways to tell someone you love them for the first time?

This guy and i have really gotten to know eachother we are really good friends, i have been dying to tell him i love him, he told me the other day and it was so special, i didnt say i loved him also on the day he told me because i want to tell him in a really special way for the first time! Any ideas please help !!! 
To clear things up, i am in love with him 🙈 i feel shy, but i really am and i have never felt this so strong before, i feel it so strong i get tears thinking of telling him. Btw we are both in our twenties if that helps