DEAR ABBY: Six weeks ago, I met "Rod" through an online singles ad. He lives one village over from me. We met after five "chats" and hit it off. He's an easygoing gentleman. We enjoy many of the same interests (hiking and bird-watching, for example) and have a great time together. However, I fibbed and said I am 51, when in fact I'm 62. Rod is 49. I look great for my age and I'm in excellent health.
Rod said our "small" age difference doesn't mean a thing to him. (But I wonder if he'd feel that way if he knew that it's really a 13-year span?)
Too many people know my age for him not to find out eventually. Try as I may to hide the truth, it's bound to come out. He's starting to get serious about me, and I'm afraid if I level with him now, he'll quit liking me -- not only for fibbing, but for being too old for him. I only stretched the truth because I thought my age might be a barrier, and he's so attractive I wanted a chance with him.
Abby, what am I going to do now? Help! -- THE OLDER WOMAN IN ENGLAND
DEAR OLDER WOMAN: Unless Rod dreams of starting a family, your age shouldn't matter much to him. Regardless of the numbers, he's already attracted to you.
One evening, after fixing him a delicious dinner, ask him, "Would you still be attracted to me if I were five years older than you?" (Of course, he will say yes.)
A few weeks later, ask if he would like you if you were, say, 10 years older.
A month after that, ask if he'd still be attracted to you if you were 12 years older.
If he keeps saying "yes," 13 could be your lucky number!