Military boyfriend

I recently started dating a man in the military that I've known my entire life. I say man, but really he's 19 and I'm 16. He won't be home for another 8 months to 1year.. It's hard because I can't tell him I love him since we haven't physically been able to see if we have feelings, so when he goes off to do things that are dangerous what the heck should I say?.. I've just been telling him that I adore him but I don't know if he likes it..