She’s met her match IRL

Dear Amy: What is the proper way to handle being matched on a dating site with someone you’ve previously met in person?

I am 51, professionally successful and single.

I recently matched online with a man I met through a networking opportunity a few years ago.

He helped to coordinate my interviews at the company he worked for.

Just before the pandemic, he suggested f inally meeting in person, as my interviews had gone well, and even if they didn’t hire me, he wanted to stay in touch.

We met for coffee and had a good conversation.

From a networking perspective, it was a success. He was also one of the nicest and most attractive men I’ve ever met — honestly, it was hard to focus.

I’ve had no contact with him since, over two years ago, and I just “matched” online with him!

If he asked, I would go out with him in a heartbeat.

But if he’s not interested, I don’t want to ruin a professional contact.

I can do nothing. I can block him so he can’t see my profile. Or I could send him a “smile” or message through the app or email, acknowledging the match and indicating interest, while magically and simultaneously protecting future professional contact.

I think I’d rather take a chance on love than a new job but I feel so awkward and far out of my comfort zone. What do you think?

Woman on the Fence

Dear On the Fence: As this plays out, we have either the first scene for a galloping workplace rom- com, a fantastic story to tell at your wedding or a neutral but nice near- miss. I don’t really see a huge downside for you.

Now that Cupid’s algorithm has matched you, you could send a short note: “Hi. I remember meeting you for coffee back in the ‘ before times,’ and thank you again for meeting me that day. I eventually got a job at Cybertech. Your interviewing coaching did help! I suppose it was bound to happen to someone at some point but honestly, I have never been matched online with someone I’d met IRL. Awkward, for sure — but funny too.”

Leave a response to him.

Dear Amy: I am an old grandma with 10 stepgrandchildren. The youngest, 18, is in her f irst year of college. She gets a substantial stipend from me.

She is the only grandkid who does not follow me on my cat’s Instagram account, which has 5,000 followers.

She does follow her other grandma on Instagram.

Not that I’m begging for followers, but I think it’s a charitable and loving thing to do. I’ve been generous and loving toward her.

I have not discussed this with her mother.

Am I wrong to think that would be a loving thing for her to do?

It’s just a cat account, for Pete’s sake!

Upset Grandmother

Dear Upset: Yes, it’s just a cat account, for Pete’s sake. Yet for you it doesn’t seem to be just a cat account.

You mention your f inancial support to this granddaughter. Are you implying that you are buying followers? I hope not.

Ask her: “Did you know ‘ Muffin’ is an Instagram inf luencer? I’d love it if you would follow the account. I’m having fun with it.”

It is not fair for you to imply that this is a primary way for your granddaughter to love you. It is one way, but it is not the only way.