Dear Reverend,
I am a 78-year-old woman who recently met a 72-year-old man online. He wants to visit me and start a relationship. Am I too old for that?
Nadia Dedyit
(woman, 78)
Dear Nadia Dedyit,
Too old? Get outta here! There is no age limit on meeting someone. However, whether or not you’re a spring chicken, you need to be cautious when ramping things up with an online acquaintance.
How long have you been talking to this fella online? Have you ever spoken on the phone? Before you meet in person, you may want to arrange a video chat, just to be sure he is who he says he is.
If you decide to get together, do it at a public place such as a coffee shop or restaurant. Keep it short and sweet, maybe around an hour, and arrange your own transportation to and from. Tell a friend or family member where you’re going and who you’re meeting, and let them know when you get home safely. Even if everything is going great, don’t invite this guy back to your place or go home with him on your first date.
In all of your communication with him, trust your instincts. If anything feels off or uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to cancel or leave. Beware of cyber scams, which often target older folks: Never give out personal details such as your bank info or Social Security number. Don’t share remote access to your computer. And any request for money, gift cards, etc. is a red flag. You can visit aarp.org/fraudwatchnetwork to learn more.
I’m not trying to make you nervous, but it truly is always better to be safe than sorry, and you don’t really know this guy yet. There will be plenty of time to throw caution to the wind when you do.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2025.
