Dating for a month and I really want to get into a serious relationship with him but he wants to take things slow

Hi, thank you for your time reading my post.

I have been dating a man in a new city I moved to in July. We met through Hinge after I’ve been here for a week. We had sex on our first date, but we have been seeing each other exclusively for the past month. We hang out twice a week, and every time we sleep together and spend the next morning/possibly afternoon together. In my past relationships, I’m always the one being told to leave the other alone. Everything just feels so perfect. I feel like I am in love with him, but he said he wants to take things slow and feel scared about getting hurt or hurting me.

Some background… I have depression and anxiety. I was put into the hospital by my ex a year ago for my mental health breakdown, and I spent ten days in a mental ward for 10 days without any check-ins from him. When I get out, he gave me a call basically saying he doesn’t want to see or talk to me again. I learned a lot in the hospital and feel that I am in the strongest mindset I’ve ever been in with proper treatment and medication. I felt I’m ready to be in a relationship and that’s why I put myself on Hinge (which I deleted after meeting him).

On our first date, we talked about what we are looking for. We are both open to long-term relationships but didn’t know what we want specifically. He just got out of a relationship 7 months ago cause his ex wasn’t there for him when he needed support – to some extent, I really resonate with the feeling.

My past experience and childhood make me have attachment and abandonment issues. I am aware of my neediness and have been trying to control it. We promised to be open and honest to each other, and we have been good at doing so. But when I’m by myself, I still feel like the old version of me who falls in love too easily and that leads to me get burnt. I have expressed that I really like him, and he responded with the same. A week ago he also said he’s developing feelings for me.

He doesn’t like texting, so he rarely answers right away. But this is helping me with overthinking a late reply even tho I would still be waiting for his texts. I have met his best friend whom he lives with. He was going to let me meet his friends last week but he changed his mind. I felt a bit worried if I did something wrong or he just dealt with me enough that day (we hang out for more than 24 hours). He said he wanted to have the right timing. Does that mean he doesn’t like me enough to the point that he wants to introduce me to his friend cycle?

Trying to write down the facts I am willing to share and think might help with those who read my story and would give some advice does not make my mind any clearer. I feel like I have already sabotaged my chance to have a serious relationship with me by a week and a half ago saying “I hope I can have a bf like u” and the fact that we already have (really good) sex. Does “take things slow” mean a rejection? I have no suspicion in terms of him taking advantage of me. But I am worried that if this doesn’t work out, I will be hurt again.

Thx again for your time 🙂