We have been official for 5 months now; is this a good relationship progression?

[Anonymous]

We are both new to the relationship world; this is our first serious relationship; We met on Hinge back in early June, and we went on a bunch of fun dates almost every weekend, which included dinner dates, movies, bowling, mini golfing, shopping, and board game cafes, and late August made things official during a brunch date.
For each date also important to note I brought along fun dating conversation cards that helped us open up as we are both shy.

Since making things official in late August, we have continued going on dates, on weekends, and sometimes on Fridays; I have met his family and friends, but he has yet to meet my mom and friends, and we are in the process of setting that up. I'm also invited to his family Christmas brunch later this month. We have been intimate and are compatible in that department.
Yesterday evening, as he dropped me home after our date night, I was about to lean in for the kiss. He told me to wait a moment and then proceeded to say that he was grateful he met me, as he has been able to get out of his comfort zone and do things he never believed he could do, and at the end of his heart spill which I could not recall as was quite surprised lol he told me that he loved me.
I'm so grateful to have met him, too, lol, so I ensured he knew I loved him too and that I was thankful for the new experiences we would have together; hence I was way too shy in the car to spill my heart out, so I ensured he knew that via text.
Is this a good sign for a relationship progression?
Thanks for any insight!

[Anonymous]

Everything sounded reasonable until the 'he told me that he loved me.' I've said this enough times and I will say it again. If you think you're in love with someone you don't even know, then you are in love with a fantasy. This is not a good sign, and that you also responded in the same way suggests the same. The problem with a lot of us is we are more in love with being in love, than actually allowing it to truly happen which involves really knowing each other.

What is the end game? starting a family? life-long commitment? These are the sort of things that should be known before intimacy.

[Asker]

Hi

Thanks for the insight! And yes, I was pretty shocked! But honestly, we have had a lot of extensive conversations since June, and those dating cards I brought along allowed us to get to know one another, but we haven't lived together and so forth, so of course, we still have to experience that.

Yes, we have discussed the long-term goal extensively here: marriage & starting a family; we both see ourselves married by age 30-32 and having at least one child by 34.
That said, we discussed how that would look and so forth in terms of both families and so on.

[Opinion Owner]

A person can completely change due to life experience within 5 months... but at least you're not just going through the motions and have an idea of where this is all going. I think the biggest mistake people make in general is rushing everything. Rushing to say 'I love you', rushing into intimacy, rushing into living together etc.

You said this is your first serious experience, were the others just casual?

[Asker]

Absolutely! no, this is both of our first relationships, and I have never engaged in casual relationships, and he also has never engaged in casual relationships.

We were both looking for something long-term when we matched on hinge back in June so this is all new; I guess I took a bit more of a lead, but now we both have a hang of things.

[Asker]

Also, we do not live together, so indeed, that is eye-opening to couples, but later this month, we have planned 2 sleepovers so we will see how that goes.

[Guy13]

A+ with dating cards. Everyone of the women and men haters should read this !!!

[Tracker1958]

Why buy the cow when the milk is free