So I have been talking to this guy online now for a couple of months (I’m 22 and he is 28 so our age difference is six years). It was really unexpected to meet him (I told him I was only looking for friends but we still kept talking). I was sort of bored on Facebook so I went onto some dating page, expecting maybe to have short conversations but definitely not to talk for this long. I’ve never dated and I hadn’t planned to for a while (despite my age), because I’m still overcoming depression and anxiety that have both been very severe, and so I’m trying to put my life back together. I don’t even have friends right now because I’m still trying to motivate myself to go out more and develop friendships. I haven’t had friends for a long time because my depression/anxiety has been very isolating.
At first I thought he was just a nice person who could be a friend. He lives nearby but still a distance away, and I honestly didn’t get the impression that he would be someone I’d like as more than a friend. He went to college for trades but I’m earning a university degree (which isn’t something I have a problem with because I like when somebody pursues that it is that they want to do). Because of my anxiety or whatever I deal with I’m always skeptical of people and I’m not very trusting, but he is my friend on Facebook and I’m confident now that everything he is telling me is adding up and he is who he says he is.
I can tell that he really likes me, a lot, and he wants to talk on the phone and possibly meet eventually. I really like him too, even though it’s not something I planned on and the way it happened was really out of character for me (because I do not normally go on dating sites, especially because I hadn’t even planned on dating until I have my life together). Loneliness is probably why I chose to talk to him for so long, but now I really like him. I admire his honesty, and the fact that he accepts my circumstances is incredible. I’m being very careful about this obviously, but I’m happy to have met him regardless of what happens.
I have a few concerns about this, though. I’m currently living with a family member who has no idea this conversation is going on, and even though I’m an adult, they always want to know who I’m talking to and I do not get much space. I’m sure if they found out this was going on they’d be very critical and possibly tell other family members about it. I know they wouldn’t accept it, so I wouldn’t be sure what to do about that. Also, I’m not sure if I’d be ready for it at this point in my life. I’m so confused now because we have a connection but I wasn’t planning on this. Also, being very anxious I still don’t totally trust him. How do you trust someone who you’ve never met before? Any suggestions would be appreciated.