Dear Amy: I have been going to the same car mechanic since I moved to a new city, four years ago.

I know he’s a dad because he has a son, but he has never worn a wedding ring.

The last time I brought my car in, he offered to take it for a spin with me in the car, but I declined.

I’ve had a crush on this man since I first met him. Should I say so, or is this something I can’t pursue?

– Wanting in Oregon

Dear Wanting: I had a crush on the hunky guy who came to renovate my house – and I finally summoned the courage to tell him.

We’ve been married, very happily, for 16 years.

The risk here is that this man might not be available or return your feelings, which might necessitate you changing mechanics.

Dear Amy: I am a man who has been a loyal reader of yours for many years.

I have enjoyed your commonsense approach and candor. Congratulations on your new life adventure.

One question I have is, what happens to all the questions you have received that are never published?

Are they just sitting out there forever, or do you (or someone else) answer them personally?

I can imagine that there are some writers who anxiously await a response to their life issues.

– Curious in Indiana

Dear Curious: I can’t even begin to count the number of questions I’ve received over 21 years. I do read them all, and I often correspond with people privately.

I don’t have a staff – or any outside help – and so my focus has always been on choosing questions that intrigue me, or which describe issues I believe would benefit the widest number of readers.

So yes, the questions sent in to me that I have not answered will be “out there” forever.

Read more Ask Amy and other advice columns.

“Ask Amy” is coming to an end on June 30, 2024, after 21 years. You can email Amy Dickinson at [email protected] or send a letter to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068.