Relationship at 2 years without meetup

DEAR ABBY: Iamagay man who matched with another guy on a dating site two years ago this month. At first, we texted constantly. No one has ever made me feel the way he made me feel through texting alone. He displayed qualities that set him apart from anyone else I have talked to. We made a date, but he canceled at the last minute because of cold feet. He requested more time to get to know each other.

For the past two years, we have continued to message each other, though not nearly as often. He says he very much wants to meet, but says he’s convinced I won’t like him.

I have tried desperately to convince him to meet me so we may find out if we are a good match. In the meantime, I continue to date other guys because I want to find someone to share my life with. But I refuse to put my life on hold in a vain hope that we might someday meet.

However, my desire to meet him overshadows most of my attempts to date others. His statements that he badly wants to meet me but is afraid to do so are incredibly frustrating. Should I block him from contacting me further so I might focus on looking for someone else? — Frustrated in Kentucky

DEAR FRUSTRATED:

There may be a logical reason why this relationship has not progressed. The man with whom you are communicating may not be who he says he is. Because you have invested so much time and emotion in trying to meet him, offer him one more chance to meet.

Tell him that if he can’t do that, you are ending the relationship and will block him from contacting you further.

DEAR ABBY: It seems that doctors’ offices have it set up to automatically send you emails and/or text messages to confirm your appointments. It is convenient, but they send them repeatedly. Why? It seems like overkill to me.

Before the internet, we made our next appointments, if required, at the doctor’s office upon leaving and were given a card showing date and time. You marked it on your calendar at home, and life went on. Abby, do you agree with my frustration? — Blunt Guy in Nevada

DEAR BLUNT GUY: No, I do not. Sometimes folks forget to enter that information into their calendar and the result is that the medical and dental professionals get stood up. If this is your biggest problem, consider yourself lucky.