Craving deep connection but scared to say ‘I love you’—what’s going on?

I’ve been dating someone for about six months now, and emotionally I feel very close to them. We share a lot, have long talks, and genuinely enjoy each other’s company. But when it comes to saying “I love you,” I freeze up. It’s not that I don’t care - actually, I’m afraid that saying it will change things or make me vulnerable in a way I’m not ready for.

I’ve tried to push myself to say it or drop hints, but I just can’t bring myself to say those three words out loud. It’s confusing because I want the closeness and reassurance that love usually brings, yet I also feel this inner resistance that I can’t explain. I wonder if it’s a fear of labels or maybe I’m still figuring out what love even means for me.

Has anyone else felt this kind of gap between feeling deeply connected and being scared of expressing it verbally? How did you navigate that tension without hurting your partner or yourself? Is it possible to have a meaningful relationship without ever saying “I love you” explicitly?