DEAR ABBY: I am 17 and have met a man I love dearly. He is sweet, caring and intelligent. He is 25. I know that seems like a big age difference, but it doesn't bother us.
My father is nine years older than my mom. They began dating when my mother was my age. I don't see a problem. However, my mother wants me to stop seeing him. I don't want to do that. I am very much in love. What should I do? -- YOUNG, BUT NOT FOOLISH
DEAR YOUNG: Although it's hard to do, try to disengage your emotions from your thought processes for a moment. Your mother has your best interests at heart and may be trying to tell you something important. She may see things in your boyfriend that you do not. Or, she may regret that she missed out on some opportunities because she became involved with your father so early.
You are old enough to have adult conversations with your mother. Try to draw her out about this and give her a fair hearing. If this love is here to stay, it will survive until you are 18. It's not that far away.