He has yet to tell me that he loves me...

Dear Michelle Valentine,
My boyfriend and I have been in a very happy relationship for eight-and-a-half months. He buys me flowers, takes me to great places, and I have met just about everyone in his family. The problem? He has yet to tell me that he loves me. Am I just expecting too much, or do you think there is something going on that I'm not aware of yet? Don't you think he should have told me he loves me at least a couple of months back?
Jackie, via email

Dear Jackie,
So many questions you have! You have told me that your relationship (a very happy one, at that) has been going on for over a half of a year. Your guy has been treating you well, and he has even involved you in his family. And from what I take of this as well, his buying you flowers is out of the kindness of his heart - not after you two have had "another" argument. Sounds to me as though this man truly cares for you. And yes, he could possibly be in love with you. But after all these wonderful gestures of affection towards you, you're still not satisfied because he has yet to say those three little words? There could be a few reasons for his holding back: 1. He's just plain scared you might run the other way if he told you, 2. He does not want the relationship to advance to the next level, 3. He does not feel his love for you is being returned by you, 4. He may see the I love you thing as a serious commitment (maybe of the marriage variety). Also remember that sometimes, men can't get the words out of their mouth even after they are married. Get the picture? There could be so many reasons... you need to communicate with him. And don't push him or make him feel bad for not saying those three little words. His actions are speaking loud and clear. Let me know what happens!

If your boyfriend isn't telling you he loves you, find someone now who will tell you he loves you.