Dear Abby: My online boyfriend is 30 years younger than me – I’m afraid he won’t like what he sees in person

Dear ABBY: I put a new guy on Facebook. He is a philanthropist and we have been talking for more than six months. He is kind and sweet and tells me he loves me. He works around the world as an interior designer and will return to the United States in a few weeks.

The problem is that I am 30 years older than him. He has seen my photos and thinks I am beautiful and a good woman. I’m stressed about meeting him because he wants a life together, even though I’ve shared all my health issues. Please help me. I have tried to end it because of the age difference, but he gets very upset and so we go on. I take care of him. What should I do? – WAFFLING IN GEORGIA

DEAR WAFFLING: Walk very carefully! Even though you’ve been communicating over the past six months, he may not be “at all” the person he’s presented as. Don’t make any commitments until you’ve met him in person. Keep your skepticism and don’t give money to him for ANY reason, because things that seem too good to be true often are.

Dear ABBY: I’m dating a single dad with a teenage daughter who lives with him full time. His daughter’s mother lives in the same town but rarely sees him. Mom doesn’t want me to meet her daughter and offered me the solution to take her daughter to live with her.

Six months later, the mom still hasn’t committed to truly living her daughter. Because of this, I am no longer spending time at my boyfriend’s house and it is driving a wedge between us. We’ve been dating for a year and a half and now I’m at my wits end. HELP! – WAITING IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR WAIT: 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 the daughter is introduced to. Ask him if he still feels the same way about you that he did six months ago. If he says yes, suggest that you get couples counseling because it sounds like his ex has driven a wedge between you. His answer should indicate the direction your relationship is heading.

Dear ABBY: My brother lost his wife of over 30 years to COVID. Because we live several states apart and I have significant chronic health issues, I haven’t been able to spend as much time with him as I would like.

I call often just to check in, but I wish I could do more to help him through his grief. The first anniversary of her death is approaching and I don’t know how to deal with it. Any advice is deeply appreciated. – CONTROL IN THE EAST

DEAR CONTROLLER: Since your health problems prevent you from traveling to see your brother, why not invite him to come for a visit? That way, you can be supportive and he can have a therapeutic change of scene. If that’s not possible, the next best thing would be to video chat with him, which would allow you to meet face to face every now and then.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at http://www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.