My(25f) boyfriend(26m) has a hard time calling me pretty
How can I fix things? My boyfriend (26m) and I (25f) have been together for about a year now. We have had the same conversation for a while now. I communicate that I need and deserve to be complimented, not all the time, but when I get dressed up for date nights, when I’m having an insecure moment, etc… When we have this convo, he always says he thinks those things but he has a hard time articulating what is in his brain. I communicate that it feels like he doesn’t think those things, otherwise he would be able to say it. I try to support him through it and figure out the root cause and reassure him but he just shuts down, says he knows he needs to fix it, and moves on. It sometimes feels like he gets irritated with me for bringing it up. Probably one of the more hurtful things is a few months ago, his friend commented that a girl was pretty and my boyfriend immediately chimes in and says yes she is pretty. I bring up how it’s hurtful that it came so easy to call her pretty but literally the only time he has called me pretty is when I beg for it. I’m at a loss. I love him and I do believe he loves me but I deserve to feel a certain way. I’m tired of having the same convo and having the same results. It truly feels like he doesn’t think I’m pretty.