Avoidant individuals can indeed fall in love and care deeply for someone. Love is a complex emotion, and people express it and experience it in different ways. Avoidant individuals typically have a fear of intimacy and emotional closeness, which can make it difficult for them to fully open up and express their feelings, even when they genuinely care for someone.
Your partner's hesitance to say "I love you" could be due to their fear of vulnerability or a belief that expressing love could lead to potential emotional risks or dependency. Avoidants often have a strong need for independence and may struggle with fully surrendering to emotional connections.
It's important to understand that love and attachment styles can be on a spectrum, and individuals can have varying degrees of avoidant tendencies. Some avoidant people may find it easier to express their emotions as the relationship deepens and they feel more secure and comfortable with their partner.
However, if your partner consistently avoids emotional intimacy, it could lead to challenges in the relationship. Open communication is essential in such situations. Try to have an honest and compassionate conversation with your partner about your feelings and concerns. It may be helpful to explore the reasons behind their hesitancy and to work together to build a deeper emotional connection if that's something both of you desire.
In any case, remember that people can change and grow over time, and with understanding and support, your partner may become more comfortable expressing their feelings and forming a deeper emotional bond with you. However, if you find that the avoidant tendencies are causing significant distress or incompatibility in the relationship, seeking the help of a professional therapist or counselor can be beneficial in navigating these challenges.