Dating

A man I used to be only casually involved with asked to spend time together and is showing a lot of changes in his behavior. How should I proceed?

I (24F) dated this guy (35M) a year ago when I was applying to med school. We date for two months and he asked if I’d stay in our city even if it meant changing my career path. When I hesitated, he said I might resent him one day and that I was too young to make that kind of decision.

Later, we both dated around but reconnected casually. He was stressed about his business, I was busy with grad applications. He used to ask me to be emotionally open, but I wasn’t comfortable enough back then.

Eventually I told him I didn’t want casual anymore after I got into grad school in our city and moved on. Since then I started therapy, learned to be comfortable with vulnerability, picked up new hobbies, etc.

Recently, he reached out again. We hooked up but this time he was very present and curious, asked about my grad program, if I’m religious, saying he likes “educated, traditional women”, told me "something about you has changed you're no longer sharp and don't mask vulnerability with humor. What are you doing differently?" and that he enjoyed being around me and loves how I'm feminine and graceful. He also mentioned his business is doing great, and that “when men are ready for marriage, they just are they don’t waste time.”

He invited me to a morning workout class today, then we grabbed lunch and talked for three hours about careers, values, kids, etc. He said, “Realistically I’d want to have kids in the next two years, I’m aching to have a daughter.” I told him he’d make a great dad and said I also want marriage and kids soon. He also said he's thinking of buying the apartment unit he's in and wants to get a dog once he has a family.

When we said goodbye, he didn’t kiss me at all or invite me back to his place, just said, “Text me later?” I said I would.

Now I’m confused. Is he genuinely seeing me in a more serious light this time, or am I overthinking it? How should I proceed from here?

A man I used to be only casually involved with asked to spend time together and is showing a lot of changes in his behavior. How should I proceed?
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