DEAR HARRIETTE: I work for an airline company, and I am required to fly at least 20 days out of the month. The upside is that I am able to see the world; the downside is that my social life is terrible. I recently met this man on Facebook, and he seems nice. We talked on the phone for about three hours; he understands my plight as a flight attendant. He is familiar with my job responsibilities because he has dated a flight attendant in years past. He also makes me smile every time we talk on the phone, and I would like to meet him in person. Do you think it is strange for me to meet this man in person because our first interaction was via a social media platform? -- Friendly Skies, Queens, N.Y.

DEAR FRIENDLY SKIES: These days, plenty of people meet thanks to social media platforms. As with any other type of first meeting, you want to take it slowly. Meet in a safe location, meaning not in either of your homes, like at a restaurant, movie theater, gallery, etc. -- someplace where other people are present.

You should give this man a chance. One way you will be able to tell if he is a potential candidate for you romantically is to make a list of the qualities you feel are important in a relationship. List them individually and then as you talk to this man, listen to hear if he falls into any of your categories. Do not fill your list with fluff, like how he looks or whether he has a six-pack. Wanting him to be healthy is fair. Making sure he is single and available to be in a relationship should be non-negotiable.

Take your time. If you two like each other after one meeting, select another time when you are in the same area to meet again.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My part-time assistant of the past three years is about to move away because she is graduating from college. I am so proud of her. I have watched as she has blossomed into a fine young woman. She has been an amazing support to me in more ways than I can even outline. I want to do something special for her when she graduates. Times are lean in my business, so I can't afford to do anything lavish. But I do want to send her off in a meaningful way. What do you recommend? -- Grateful, Detroit

DEAR GRATEFUL: Why not take your assistant out to dinner at a restaurant that you believe she would enjoy? If you know any of her friends or co-workers with whom she would enjoy sharing this experience, invite them as well. Make it a celebration by hosting it in her honor and using the time to have everyone tell stories about her and have her talk about her plans for the future. Pledge to stay in touch, and follow up on that promise.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I recently reconnected with my cousins. We hadn't talked to each other much for years. We live in different towns, and our lives are very different. We saw each other at a family funeral and realized how much we like each other, so we've been talking on the phone, and it has been so nice.

I thought that maybe we should plan to get together once a year or so. When I mentioned this to one of my cousins, I got some pushback. She said it was a nice idea and all, but she wasn't sure what her responsibilities will be over time, and she didn't want to make that kind of commitment. This hurt my feelings, but I get it. Going from zero to a promise of once a year could be ambitious. I don't want to give up, though. What can I do to let her know I want to stay close without being overbearing? -- Missing My Cousins, Philadelphia

DEAR MISSING MY COUSINS: First, give yourself credit for making the effort to kindle a meaningful relationship with your cousins. Your cousin probably did not mean to be hurtful to you. She sounds practical. What is realistic for you to do? Continue with regular phone calls, emails and texts. Share photos and highlights of your life, and encourage your cousins to do the same.

Build a rapport with them at a manageable pace. Find a rhythm. When it feels right or circumstances make it possible, schedule a visit.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a friend who uses his old aunties as an excuse to duck out on social commitments whenever he doesn't feel like showing up. He will call and say how sorry he is, but he has to drive four hours away to visit his ailing aunties who are well into their 90s. I know that some people spend an inordinate amount of time caring for their elders, but he is not one of them! This dude is a real loner when it comes to accepting responsibility for anything. But because he puts these innocent old ladies up as a buffer, it's hard to call him out on his flakiness. What can I do in a situation like this? I hate it when I invite him to a dinner party and he decides he isn't coming an hour beforehand. Help! -- Frustrated Friend, Westchester, N.Y.

DEAR FRUSTRATED FRIEND: Why not call your friend out on his behavior directly? Tell him that it is upsetting to you that he bales on functions at the last minute. Tell him you expect him to treat you with more respect than that. Add that obviously you want only the best for his aunties, but let him know that you think he uses them as an excuse to be irresponsible.

Ultimately, though, you may have to decide not to invite him to certain events. If he has been doing this for years, it is part of his social DNA, and he may be unwilling to change.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I have a brother who lives 3,000 miles away from the family. He has lived there for more than 20 years. Though he stays in close touch with my mom, he hardly ever comes home. We invite him to all the holiday meals and every special event, but he hasn't come for years. We miss him and love him and want to see him. We were thinking about suggesting that we go out to visit him for the kids' spring break, but I'm worried that he will get upset if he thinks we are crowding his space. Honestly, who knows what to believe -- he doesn't talk about visits. How can I approach the idea of visiting him as a big family group so that he might consider it? -- Missing My Brother, Jackson, Miss.

DEAR MISSING MY BROTHER: You didn't say how often or if ever you or other family members visit your brother, so I don't know what the precedent is currently. I do know that family members who live far away from the core family unit often feel isolated. Call your brother. Tell him that you and the family miss him and that you want to visit -- soon. Ask if all of you can come to visit during spring break. Tell him the dates, and then see how he responds. Given that yours is a group of a number of people, you should plan to stay in a hotel so that you don't invade his space without his invitation.

There's a good chance he will say yes. If not, you can tell him that you would love to visit whenever he is available. Continue to send him photos and include him in family activities from a distance so he knows you are thinking of him.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I got into a big argument with my husband, and now we are hardly speaking to each other. I'm tired of the way that he talks to me sometimes. He gets an idea in his head and doesn't want to listen to anything I have to say. We are Christian people, and we are taught that the man should be the head of the household, but I am having a hard time dealing with him talking to me any which way. I need him to speak to me with respect. I am not sure how to heal this latest wound. I am really hurt. -- Broken Wing, Washington, D.C.

DEAR BROKEN WING: Marriage coach Heath Wiggins, of HisLeadershipHerTrust.com, a biblically based training company that coaches married couples, says that being head of household does not mean that a man can say or do anything he wants. Wiggins contends that a husband's duty is to care for his family and help to guide them to good action. Further, he suggests that when the husband makes a mistake, including fueling a heated argument, it is his responsibility to apologize and ask for forgiveness because this is the only way to build trust.

I will add that regardless of your spiritual background, no one should allow a spouse to continually behave in a disrespectful manner without addressing the behavior and getting help when necessary. Seek counseling now.