Saying those three words is a big deal. Once they are said there is no turning back. Your feelings are out there, and now you can only brace yourself hoping that your partner will return the favor. Saying “I love you” should be such a simple act – after all, it’s the phrase that humans most want to hear and we all have the capacity to love and be loved. However, it’s also a phrase that makes us vulnerable.

According to a recent study conducted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology, men start thinking about the three words nearly 3 and half months into their relationship. This statistic is interesting if we consider the fact that we know we love someone long before we actually say it. In fact, men tend to fall in-love quicker than women are far more likely to wear their hearts on their sleeve.

Saying “I love you” is a binding agreement to commit to someone, it’s basically like saying, “If you left me, there would be a huge gaping hole in my heart.” It’s imperative that you choose the right moment and that you are thinking rationally without emotion, not drunk, or being governed by sexual desire, or rewarding someone for a favor.

The right time is generally after a few months when you’ve confirmed that this person is someone you wish to share your life for the next years. Once you’re ready to make this commitment, and strongly feel like they reciprocate your emotions, then you are ready to tell him/her. Everyone has a different perspective on what love is, what it means and what it says about the future. Simply saying the words might prompt a conversation about what the next few years will mean for the both so be prepared to answer honestly.