if you've been together for 6 months already, it's not awkward at all, just funny.

Ok, First...how can you not tell the difference between lovingly saying "I've never felt this way before", and someone saying it while hissing through the pain?

Second, 6 months is NOT slow, lol. It all depends on the person. It took me at least 6 months to say it to my boyfriend, and he still doesn't say it. I actually prefer he doesn't until he's ready. There's no need to rush into "I love you"s.

Third, when you say "I love you," you shouldn't be saying it with the assumption that it's going to be returned. People don't have to have the same emotions at the same time. People develop emotions at their own pace. I'd prefer someone actually mean it instead of pretending to do so because it's what's expected of them.