DEAR ABBY: I'm a fairly intelligent 45-year-old woman. After being single for four years, I began dating a man my age with whom I share many interests. Early on, we had a few fights -- possibly because we were both hurt in our previous relationships and were having a hard time adjusting to and trusting a new person.
Things have settled down now. Most of our time is spent together even though we live an hour apart, and we're considered a couple by our friends. I enjoy the time we spend together, but I keep remembering our early fights and I worry about repeats. I think because of our pasts we'll date for a long time before either of us considers moving in or making serious commitments.
My question is, how can you know if you're on the right path? -- A LITTLE SKITTISH IN CANADA
DEAR SKITTISH: The right path usually isn't a short sprint. You're on it when you realize how many common interests you have and how much you enjoy each other's company (which you do). You're on the right path when you can be open and honest with each other and work out differences without quarreling. And you're right: It can take some time to get there, but there's nothing wrong with that.