Dear Annie: What keeps an online pen pal from meeting in real life?

Dear Annie: I met a woman, “Alice,” on a dating site. We’ve been emailing each other for 27 months. We’ve never met; she lives in Seattle and I live outside of Atlanta. We are both 70 years old.

I don’t fully understand our relationship. We seem to be getting along well, and she has my phone number but won’t give me hers. I asked for it a few times but she asked me not to pressure her.

She told me she had had a terrible divorce. I don’t know if she’s afraid of commitment. I really don’t insist on it. I really enjoy her, and to be honest there have been times when I think I should stop, but I like her so much that I go back to her.

I’ve been thinking about asking her if I can fly there to meet, but I’m a little nervous about asking. I guess I’ll just have to see how the relationship goes (she tells me she’s retiring) and let the chips fall where they may. I really don’t want to lose her.

You’re probably going to tell me to let her go, but to be honest, it’s really hard to find someone I like when I meet them on a dating site. No one can compare to her. I wish I knew what to do. — Fixed

Dear Stuck: After 27 months without meeting in person, I don’t blame you for wondering what to do. Her hesitation to share her phone number may be an indication that she is not ready for a relationship. The only way to know for sure is to ask her to meet in person. You deserve a relationship that is real and reciprocated.