Dear Abby: I’m 72 and dating a 27-year-old woman I met online and want to marry
A 72-year-old widower has become deeply attached to a 27-year-old woman he met on a dating site and is considering proposing. He wants to know whether the age difference should give him pause, especially if her parents object.
Liam Carter 
A 72-year-old widower, who lost two wives to cancer, is seeking guidance on a life-changing decision. After moving back to his birthplace two years ago, he connected with a 27-year-old woman on a dating site and finds himself deeply in love. He is now considering marriage, despite the significant age gap that places him older than her own parents.
Seeking Clarity on the Age Gap
The reader, writing to 205focus.com under the name Over the Moon in Ohio, notes that while his family has remained silent regarding the relationship, he anticipates potential friction from the woman's parents. He is questioning whether his feelings—and the mutual attraction he perceives—justify moving forward with a proposal or if he is acting impulsively.
Expert Advice from Dear Abby
Abigail Van Buren cautions the reader to assess the foundation of the relationship. Specifically, she asks if the couple has spent significant time together in person, rather than primarily interacting online. Her advice is to slow down the process: take the time to build a genuine connection, introduce yourself to her parents, and allow them to form their own opinions before rushing into an engagement.
Read more Dear Abby and other advice columns on 205focus.com.
Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
