Guiness,
Based on my experiences in these situations, I would say that the good news from a practical standpoint is that you've got a year to see what happens, and that you're in love with this guy so it will allow you to be close to him and see where things go.
The (possibly) bad news is that I've been in your boyfriends shoes, or in a similar situation to them. I hate to say it, but it sounds a lot like the start of a case of the cold feet. That's not to say that I don't think that it can't work out...but in my experience once things start to go that way in a relationship, something changes. And usually, when there aren't extenuating circumstances to keep you together (marriage / religous belief or kids) things have a way of dissipating. It's kind of like Nikki said (with perhaps a little less venom - I think she and I may be biased in different directions
) you can't go backwards in a relationship...at least not easily and not without the passage of time.
Quick message - I would advise you to to be on the lookout...you've seen some signs that could be cold-fee-itus. I'm not saying that I think you should pull out of the relationship or anything, but I'd be aware and I wouldn't just stick my head in the sand and pretend like none of this ever came up. Move on with things, but don't forget.
And for the people wanting to kill the bf - not appropriate. He's going through natural emotions in this situation, he's not leaving her in anything near a cardboard box, and it's better for this to come up sooner than later.