🥺 what to say?

So my boyfriend and I have been dating and it’s going great even tho it hasn’t been that long

We’ve been talking since late April but only made it official in July

The best part about it is that we’re always honest and open with each other :)

Usually we’re always joking around but once in awhile we’ll have serious talks

He told me randomly that he appreciated me and it was the sweetest thing but I didn’t know how to respond because no one ever told me that before

The other night I was kinda upset because I graduated and realized I’m going to be leaving my best friends soon and life would never be the same :(

Like the things my friends wrote to me meant so much to me because I never felt like I mattered or had an impact on anyone’s lives

But he stuck by me and listened and told me that I matter so much to him and that I’ve already significantly made his life better and he’s lucky to have me in the next big chapter of our lives and also that I should never feel like a burden to him about my problems and my feelings are important to him

That just made me 🥺🥺 all over again

I struggle with showing emotions or finding the right words to say sometimes but I’m going to learn and grow with him

I don’t know what to say to him because I already said I appreciate you and I’m lucky to have you but it’s also way too soon to say “I Love You”. Like I’m not in love with him yet but I like-love the things he does/says and the times we have together. I wouldn’t drop the L bomb yet because I don’t think it’s official Love yet but it’s definitely a little bit more than like-like.

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated :)