This is it. The moment you've been waiting for.

You can feel those three little words on the tip of your tongue. You oh so desperately want to say them out loud but something is holding you back. You keep questioning whether now is the right time to tell him how you truly feel.

Don't ignore these internal thoughts and questions. Telling anyone "I love you" is a huge step and shouldn't be treated lightly.

Before you put the pedal to the metal and tell him straightaway, take a quick pit stop and ask yourself these five questions before you tell him those three little words. Because if you can't answer these five questions, you're not ready to tell him you love him:

1. What are our expectations from the relationship?

You need to know what you expect and what he expects from this relationship before getting more serious. Perhaps the two of you are on completely different pages when it comes to your relationship with each other. You may want something out of the relationship that he doesn't and vice versa. If there's something you can't move past, then the relationship itself may not be worth it in the long run.

2. How easily do I say "I love you"?

Is it easy for you to say "I love you" because you've said it many times before? If you often say the words to friends or family, it's become a habit. Make sure you aren't saying "I love you" just because that's what you're used to.

Be sure to evaluate how much truth is really behind those three words. Do you really mean it? Or is it just easy to say because you're truly head over heels for him? The ease of saying "I love you" may clue you in. It may be easy because you really do love him, or it may be easy because it's just become a habit. Think long and hard about this one before you have the guts to tell him.

3. Have we expressed our love for each other without actually saying it?

Our actions speak louder than words. Looking back on your relationship, have there been times where you've done something for him or he's done something for you that says "I love you"? Pay attention to the way he acts around you and the way you act around him. What about him indicates that he may love you just as much as you love him? If you think there are good indications that his actions say "I love you", it may be time to say these words out loud.

4. Am I ready for what may happen to our relationship after I say "I love you?"

Once these words are said, things are bound to change in your relationship. Are you ready for change and to accept it, come what may? You can't take back what you've said, so make sure you won't regret it. If there is a chance of regret, you may want to take a step back first and really think about whether or not this is the right thing to do.

5. Why do I want to tell him now?

Why, specifically, do you want to tell him "I love you" now? Did you not fully understand your true feelings for him until this moment? Why couldn't you tell him those three words before? What would happen if you waited? These are all valid questions you need to think about before telling him "I love you". The timing may never truly be right (or perfect) but you need to think about just why you want to tell him now. How have your feelings changed for him recently that is motivating you to tell him your true feelings?

Telling someone "I love you" for the first time is one of the most courageous things you'll do in your life. There is so much that could go wrong once the words have been spoken, but there's so much that could go right. Consider all of these questions and think about them long and hard before you decide to tell him how you truly feel.

If after asking yourself these questions and you don't feel ready to tell him you love him yet, then don't.

But if you are, by all means, go for it!

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