Dear Abby: I met a young man on Facebook. He is a philanthropist and we have been talking for over 6 months. He is sweet, kind and tells me he loves me. He works all over the world as an interior designer and will be returning to the US in a few weeks.
The problem is, I am 30 years older than him. He has seen my pictures and thinks I am a beautiful and nice woman. It is stressful to see him because I share all my health problems and he wants to live with me. Please help me. I tried to break up because of the age difference but he gets so angry that we can't break up. I care about him. What should I do? — Ambiguity in Georgia
Dear Waffle: Tread with caution. Even if you have been in contact for the past 6 months, he may not be who he appears to be. Don't make any promises until you meet him. Remain skeptical and don't give him money for any reason. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.
Dear Abby: I am dating a single father who lives with his teenage daughter all his life. His daughter's mother lives in the same town but they rarely see each other. The mother doesn't want him to see her so I proposed a solution where he would bring his daughter to live with him.
It's been 6 months and my mother won't actually let my daughter live with us. So I can't stay at my boyfriend's house anymore and it's creating a rift between us. We've been together for a year and a half and I'm at a loss. Please help! — Waiting in New Jersey
To you who are waiting: Your boyfriend's relationship with the mother of his child is not healthy. She does not have custody of her daughter and should not dictate who she introduces her to. Ask him if he still feels the same way about you as he did six months ago. If he says yes, suggest that you go to couples counseling because you feel like his ex-husband has created a rift between you two. His response should indicate the direction your relationship is heading.
Dear Abby: My brother lost his wife of over 30 years to COVID-19. We live several states away, and I have serious chronic health issues myself, so I am unable to spend as much time with him as I would like.
I call him often to check in, but I wish there was something more I could do to help him get through his grief. It's approaching the one year anniversary of her death and I don't know how to cope. Any advice would be appreciated. Check on the east side
Dear Sir, Checking: If health issues mean you can't visit your brother in person, why not invite him to come visit you? This will give you support and he'll feel refreshed and rejuvenated. If that's not possible, the next best thing is to video chat with your brother so you can see each other in person from time to time.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren (aka Jean Phillips) and launched by her mother, Pauline Phillips. To contact Dear Abby, please contact us at http://www.DearAbby.com or write to PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
