Dear Annie: I’m dating someone long distance, but he puts me off when I ask to visit

Dear Annie: I’m a 67-year-old woman and dating a 70-year-old man.

We live an hour apart. He lives on a farm and is divorced. He told me he enjoys his own company. He is very bright and funny. I have only physically seen him four or five times in the past year. He had an extremely painful divorce, and I am widowed. He calls me every night at the end of his day, and we talk and laugh for an hour or two.

But he never invites me over. I have suggested we cook together or listen to music for a few holidays. Each time I ask to get together, he puts me off. I’m quite smitten with him, but sometimes I feel like I’m really not that special to him. He is a very sweet talker; we hug at the end of each date and share a brief kiss. — Fizzling Out Affection

Dear Fizzling Out: I don’t blame you. It is going to be really challenging to have a relationship with someone that you never physically see. The nice long phone conversations are great. You can keep those, but by no means make him your number one. He can just be a friend if he doesn’t want to physically spend time with you.

Read more Dear Annie and other advice columns.

“How Can I Forgive My Cheating Partner?” is out now! Annie Lane’s second anthology — featuring favorite columns on marriage, infidelity, communication and reconciliation — is available as a paperback and e-book. Visit Creators Publishing for more information. Send your questions for Annie Lane to [email protected].