how long is too long? Options

[teeners4]

my boyfriend and i have been dating for a year now.
we have yet to say "i love you"
for the first few months it was alright actually it was good to not say "i love you" because every other couple has and we rather wait until it is "real"
but now it's been a year and we haven't said it yet.
i've brought it up yet and he said he does like me a lot, but he isn't going to marry me. and in his perspective he won't call it love until he knows he wants to marry the girl.

so i don't know. i think i love him. but i guess we just see it differently. i don't think i'm going to marry him either. i mean we're both only 18 right now. just started university i don't want to plan that far ahead.

but i don't want to be in a relationship where it's not going to progress anymore emotionally.

so how long is too long for you?

[Uronacid]

Well, marriage is ultimately the reason you date. I mean, if you think about it, marriage is the end of dating. Yeah, you could be dating for other reasons (fun, sex, emotional support...), but ultimately every relationship you have will end up becoming a learning lesson until you find that person you want to spend the rest of your life with. Marriage is the fuckin finish line.

Progression is important. If you don't see progression in a relationship (especially in the beginning) it's usually a clear sign that your "significant other" isn't really your "significant other". This is the time that you and your boyfriend should be getting to know each other. It should be exciting and new. You should be exploring each other. I know that it was exciting for me to get to know my Holly. We have been dating for two years, and I still find her to be the most challenging and fascinating person I have ever met. I love this about her.

Look, it seems like you're just wasting your time. You have definitely been patient enough. I would say that one year is plenty of time to determine whether or not a relationship is right or wrong for you. If you're interested in perusing this thing, I would suggest making an attempt to find the reasoning behind your relationship's lack of progression and trying to work through it. What do you think could be causing this problem? Is it you? Is it him?