Level headed advice needed?

This is all about sex and it's pretty long, so buckle up and let's get to problems! Well, I'm a little over 17 years old by a couple months. I have this AMAZING boyfriend who treats me like a queen. When we first started dating I told him that after the 6month marker I'd consider sex. He said that is perfectly fine, fast forward it get to six months. We start talking and he admits that he doesn't feel ready and neither did I. Perf right? Well fast forward to now (9months) and he's ready. He says no pressure, and that I can wait as long as I need but he just wants to know around what time so he can buy condoms and be safe and stuff. Well I said a year but I'm so conflicted! I do want to give him the gift of myself and I don't want to wait till marriage. He very well could be the man I marry, as he's my better half. However, I think I'm ready, when it's the moment I feel ready but we never have condoms so he refuses to have sex unless he wears one so it hasn't happened yet. I think I'm just scared of the emotions and of what my parents might think. My mom and dad both are kind of expecting it, if they don't think we already smooth the sheets. I'm confused as to what I should do? Because I don't want to wait but at the same time I don't want to freak out and then cause issues. I really truely love him and I know he would respect me and my boundaries. Advice? Thansk for the read!