Dear Movinforward~
Welcome and thank you for posting. There are plenty of people here who have live though the same dating circumstances, myself included (though it was a long time ago).
May I suggest you think about what you want in a partner? I remember the things I wanted. They included honesty, care, empathy, similar values, reliability and a growing love.
It's a bit of a coincidence in that I used the following quote earlier today:
Love is not affectionate feeling, but a steady wish for the loved person’s ultimate good as far as it can be obtained
So where does that leave you? If the gentleman you are dating is in love, or heading in that direction with you and has the qualities I mentioned you would expect him to have born in mind your anxiety and acted to keep it at a minimum. As he hasn't either he is not regarding it with the care and attention to which you are entitled or else something really untoward has happened in his life.
On-line and face to face dating is full of people who are not straight-forward and many who take the 'easy way out' when a relationship cools and does not disclose the fact in a forthtright manner, leaving the unfortunate recipient dangling.
If it was me I'd ring, but listen to the response most carefully.
I hope there is a treasonable explanation
As for managing the whole scene - if you find a fool-proof method let us know. If you are looking for someone with your heart then it can get badly bruised. The only advice I can give is to try to use instinct and cut things short if there is a niggle - not easy I know as recognizing instinct in the face of hope, loneliness and desire is extremely hard.
Croix
