In a role reversal, I had a young lady tell me that she loved me after a couple of months of going out and talking, with the stated understanding that we were not "dating exclusively". Love is a feeling, not confined by the laws of life-management. Expressing that feeling, there-in is where the accountability arises. A somewhat cautious thinker by nature, I look back on encounters of years past where I wish I had been more expressive of my true feelings, without all of my concern over whether they, or I, could handle it yet. So often men get caught up in the sensationalism of the words "I Love You", as perpetuated by movies and songs, and the words are used as a crutch, or a catalyst for a reaction. I think that's why the timing associated with when (after how long of seeing each other) the words are used has come under more scrutiny. I also believe that it's not far to assume that when someone tells you "I love you" they are automatically referring to in-love-with-you-for-the-rest-of-my-life love. You can love someone not long after you have met them, and that love can be strong and enduring. That doesn't mean it will necessarily be reciprocated, or will lead to romantic foreverness. You love someone because of how they make you feel about yourself, and how you feel when you are with them, either in person, conversation, or even thoughts. I think the most important element is communication, to make sure the person you are with knows you, knows your feelings, and understands what you mean by what you say, as well as what you don't say. I have several long-time female friends with whom every conversation ends with "I love you." Over the years, it's been interesting to see the reaction of women I was dating, (who would certainly have freaked out at being told I love you after 3-6 months), when I would get phone calls from one or more of my friends and we'd exchange I-love-yous. There was usually that threatened silence, even when she'd met the friend. Bottom line is you must be true to yourself. A man shouldn't tell you "I love you" for any reason other than he feels it to be true, and you should react just as honestly. An honest conversation about what was meant by it, as well as why you didn't respond in kind, can ease the gut-wrenching kick in the pride associated with an unreturned "I love you".

auranissa's reply reminded me that I knew I'd marry my DH two months into our relationship, but I didn't tell him for 1.5 years! That would have freaked him out, I think.

I don't believe you can put a time restriction on love....if you are in tune with your gut feeling or intuition you may know love sooner than others, and not even know how or why. My boyfriend and I met online, and were only friends for several months online only, with no intention to meet. Then something told me "maybe he is the one"...and I almost passed him by thinking it would never go further than the internet...this guy is too good to be true. Well as it turns out he was thinking the same thing. Once we did finally go on a date, it was like love at first "date" lol. He asked me to be his girlfriend that night before I left his house. he told me he had a very good gut feeling about me/us and didn't want to ignore a good gut feeling. The words "I love you" have not been said yet (4 months later) but I don't need him to say the words, I know how he feels, as he expresses it in many other ways, and in other words :) I don't want to put any time line on when those words should or should not be used.If he didn't love me he would not be with me...he knows his worth and he knows I know my worth.

I have two answers to this question. The cynical answer first, just to get it out of the way :-)
1. The key to a man's heart is through his genitals. You grab a man's balls and he'll tell you he'll love you forever. It's true, although not complimentary and I mean no disrespect. Women have their own foibles too. :-)

2. My husband told me he loved me after just a couple of months together, and I think he realized it within a month. We've been together for 22 years now (if you don't count the year in 2007 when I left him, but we worked things out beautifully)

My unsolicited advice, don't say "I love you too" unless you're pretty sure you mean it! It's a lot harder to undo those words then to not say them at all. It took me a few months before I felt like I could say "I love you too" to my partner, and I'm glad I waited.

My sweetie said he loved me before we'd been together a month. We were spending a lot of time together then, so he had a chance to get to know me. It's certainly possible, it just depends. How well do they know each other? How much time have they spent together? How does he treat her? Do they hold hands and things like that? Does he act loving? Has he said I love you any other time?

On the other hand, people do get carried away sometimes during sex. If it were me, I would ask him about it somehow.

I am sure it could happen, like ben says. But it was told in a moment of passion, I'd be wary and wonder how many other women he's told the same thing to.

Yes. It can happen. I knew I wanted to marry my wife of 22 years after 2 months and even spent thirteen months in another country after realizing this - we remain together to this day. I told her I loved her in a similar way and it shocked her. Do you think she is just feeling sorry for me and did not tell me all these years that she really did not feel the same way? How does your girlfriend feel about him?