How can you tell when you love someone?

No really. This is a serious question. I know, it’s asked all the time, but I really need some opinions.

My boyfriend cares for me very deeply. He constantly needs to talk to me, describes how he wants to get married to me, etc. On the other hand, I feel very withdrawn. He’s a very close friend to me, but I don’t feel “with” him on that level. I don’t need him the way he needs me. In fact, a lot of the time when he calls/texts/wants to see me I dread it and often put off dealing with him until I can’t anymore. I know this is bad, but I don’t have very strong social impulses - this happens with pretty much everyone I know except my father.

But then, when I actually do talk to him, I get along with him very well. He is one-of-a-kind, and we are a perfect fit for each other. We have great chemistry. It just seems like something is missing to me. When I talk to him, it just seems like I’m talking to any old friend. It doesn’t feel special, which is how love is always described. When I say “I love you” to him, I usually get it over with quickly, because it feels wrong in my mouth.

What is love supposed to feel like? Am I underrating/overrating it? Should it take more time (we’ve been together for more or less eight months)? Help me!