My [25F] boyfriend [29M] of a year is the best boyfriend, by far, I have ever had. He is super sweet, takes me on fun dates, helps me with things, and spends a lot of time with me. The only problem in our relationship is that he is apparently not my boyfriend. I'm so confused, please help.

So I met this guy around 13 months ago.

When we met we were both looking for a sort of friends with benefits thing, I think. We met in a bar, we thought each other was attractive, we wound up in bed.

We kinda kept up this sort of casual FWB situation for a while. We'd meet up, he usually took me out for dinner or breakfast or both, we had sex, and went on about our business.

Over time though, I felt like our relationship evolved quite a bit. Our "dates" became more frequent and weren't always treated as just a sideshow to sex. He started actually just hanging out with me in general. He comes over and we cuddle and we'll cook or something together.

He has started helping me with stuff in general. Like he fixes my junker car, he's helped me move my apartment before (especially welcome because he was literally the only one to show up and help me move). He helps me clean up my place and more than once has driven a ways to come and pick me up when my car broke down.

He calls me pet names like "darlin'" or "baby" almost all the time.

So in all honesty, he is better than any other boyfriend I have ever had. I really fell for him over the months. We bought each other gifts for birthdays and he has gifted me jewelry and things like that.

So at a certain point a few months ago, I just started referring to him as my boyfriend. I know it was unspoken, but at that point we were acting like any other couple, so I guess it just seemed pretty obvious to me what we were.

Right up until last night. Last night I was over at his place, we were cuddling on the couch and I was a little drunk and I told him I love him. He gave me a confused look which made me worried. I kind of said/asked "You don't love me, do you?"

He told me no. He told me I am a very good friend and he very much likes spending time with me and he is always happy to help me out with stuff, but he doesn't love me and doesn't feel we're actually dating, either.

I am so, So confused by this. He treated me so, so much better than any other boyfriend I have had. This is the best relationship I have ever had. But apparently there is no relationship?

And if that is true, why the dates? and the gifts? and the time cuddling together and making me feel so good? Why the pet names? I just don't understand!

And I don't even know what to do about it now. I was serious when I said I love him. I do, and the thought of stepping away is physically painful.

Is it too late to try asking him to actually be my boyfriend? Was I wrong to be so presumptuous? Did he do wrong by taking part in this relationship that apparently isn't really a relationship? Any advice welcome!

TL;DR: The guy I have been with for a year, who takes me on dates and buys me gifts and treats me so well told me last night that he never has thought of me as his girlfriend and doesn't love me. I'm hurt and confused. Help?

Submitted July 24, 2019 at 05:57PM by Secret_County https://ift.tt/32RKVpO