I’m 17 years old and have never been kissed or had a boyfriend but that doesn’t really matter.

There’s this guy I know and we’ve become really close. I realized right before he left for college that I like him and his friends say that he likes me. The only thing is he said that he is hesitant to date me because he’s turning 20 soon and doesn’t want bad rumors started about us. We don’t want to have sex yet because at this point we’re both trying to wait for marriage. We haven’t discussed us as a couple and I’m afraid that he’s too nervous to say anything. His college is an hour away so theoretically we could see each other on the weekends, should I tell him that I like him and try to kickstart a relationship? He’s amazing and the easiest to talk to and a really respectful, standup guy. My parents have met him and like him. Honestly I could see him being the one even though this is really early on. What do you guys think?