I cherry-picked your post to tell you that this is EXACTLY where I am. I fall fast, I fall hard. I've been telling her "I love you" in my head for a couple of weeks, and once out loud on one of the rare occasions she fell asleep with her head on my chest.

You are correct, I have gotten the best feedback I could ever hope for. Thank you all so very much for sharing with me. I really need this support.

I'm not going to tell her yet how I feel about how stressful this is to me. It's too much right now. Im sure it will drive her away.