Elphaba (love that name! from Wicked?) your boyfriend is wrong. It only happens about half a million times.
Seriously, the good thing is that when you fall, you aren't moving fast. Don't put your hand out, just fall on the fleshy part of your shoulder. Been there, done that. In fact, just recently during a bike ride through Vermont on a hybrid with platform pedals. Looking at the beautiful scenery and rode off into a ditch. Fell over like the old man on the tricycle in Laugh In. Good news - nobody except DH saw it.
I've been clipless for about 20 years and cannot fathom going back. During my Vermont ride, my quads were burning from the constant pushing on the pedals without pulling back. I also felt like I had less control because when you're clipped in, you can always get forward motion by turning one leg. Forward motion is good for not falling over.
Practice. It will soon become second nature. I ride with a lady who unclips way before she needs to. She's ultra paranoid about falling over. If you do unclip early, make sure that if you rest your foot on your pedal, your heel is on the clip. Otherwise, you may unintentionally clip yourself back in.