Does love take time to happen?

Hi ladies, I have known this guy for awhile now and he has always been guarded with his feelings. I feel he was crushed in the past and is more selective to say it...I've been there and understand.

It has put a damper on our relationship (he is hard to read) and a few times I gave up but we always ended up together. He has a lovely soul and he has had personal experiences that haven't been easy. I have stuck by him and I have seen some changes lately - he opens up more and has been there recently for me in a real difficult time, I was operated on and then at the same time, I almost had someone close to me die of this damn virus.

I've been abit distant because the month issues were abit much. We were talking and he wanted to see me, my recovery was more than expected. I think he misinterpreted my absence for disinterest but that wasn't the case at all. He said "I really miss you and I need you". He's never expressed himself like that.

There is alot of "we" in the conversations lately. He also said, "all I know is you belong to me and I belong to you". In the past he would say he can't have a relationship, he is having financial issues with finding work, he was laid off just before Covid.

He hasn't said I love you verbally, but he says he does in text.

Has anyone been in a similar situation, where the relationship is slowly progressing but not sure if it is heading in the right direction? We've known each other for 3 and 1/2 years now.

I'm trying to understand what he means by "need"?

I don't want to misinterpret what he is saying. I also have been hurt on false promises and words. I also explain to him my expectations and asked what his were too.

Thanks for the advice 🙏