Dating advise

Im 19 my bf is 28 I know about the age gap but hey u never know if you don't try ive been on my own since 16 we have been dating for 7 months we say "I like you" but I love you has never been said I dont exactly like the words they have never meant good things and he has expressed his problems with saying it first. He has said it drunk and in his sleep though lol. I'm in awe of this man I love everything he does and his priorities and values he does what he can and I pick up the slack we never really talked about dating it just kind of happened we hit milestones without even thinking like him meeting my family and me meeting his its just I dont know let's hear your opinions and if it is about our age gap please don't comment bc it has been discussed and talked about between us im still in college he works 12 hour days and km used to being alone I dont want a clingy man I want a partnership where we are ourselves and have our own time but are us when we are together thanks