I (24F) dated this guy (35M) a year and a half ago when I was applying to med school. We were together for about two months before he ended things. He’d asked if I’d stay in our city even if it meant changing my career path. When I hesitated, he said I might resent him one day and that I was too young to make that kind of decision.

After that, we both dated other people but would reconnect casually from time to time. He was stressed about his business, I was busy with grad applications, and the casual thing worked for both of us. He used to ask me to be more emotionally open, but I wasn’t comfortable enough back then.

Eventually I told him I didn’t want casual anymore after I got into grad school in our city and moved on (to be fair he had started asking me out back then but I acted a bit weird and made fun of him and was super guarded so the plan didn't happen). Since then I started therapy, have learned slowly how to be comfortable with vulnerability which has been showing well in my friendships and dating life, picked up new hobbies, and overall became a better person.

Recently, he reached out again. We hooked up once, but this time he was way more present and curious, asking about my grad program, if I’m religious, saying he likes “educated, traditional women.” He told me "something about you has changed you're no longer sharp and don't mask vulnerability with humor, you have become much softer, what are you doing differently?" and that he really enjoyed being around me and loves how I'm feminine and graceful. He also mentioned his business is finally doing great, and that “when men are ready for marriage, they just are they don’t waste time.” . He also asked very detailed questions about my program, the timeline, etc. We also bantered a lot like we always do but it felt just very different than previous times!

He invited me to a morning workout class today, then we grabbed lunch and talked for three hours about careers, values, kids, etc. He said, “Realistically I’d want to have kids in the next two years, I’m aching to have a daughter.” I told him he’d make a great dad and said I also want marriage and kids soon. He also said he's thinking of buying the apartment unit he's in and wants to get a dog once he has a family.

When we said goodbye, he didn’t kiss me at all or invite me back to his place, just said, “Text me later?” I said I would.

Now I’m confused. Is he genuinely seeing me in a more serious light this time, or am I overthinking it? How should I proceed from here?