Dear Abby: I’m upset that my boyfriend seems happy with our no-strings-attached romance

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been talking to a man for a little over a year. Things are going great between us, but he doesn’t seem to want to make a commitment. It’s not like I feel like he’s using me for sex because he shows me to his friends, we go out together and he texts or calls every day.

He’s nice and I can’t say anything bad about him. BUT when I point to move on, he runs in the opposite direction. He stops and I can barely get a word out of him. How can things be so great even though he’s so unsure about having me as his official girlfriend?

We act like each other’s significant others without having the title. We have taken numerous vacations together and he trusts me to look after his house when he is out of town. I’m confused and as much as I hate to admit it, I’m hurt. I know he cares about me, but when is it time for me to move on? – COMMITTED TO MISSOURI

DEAR COMMITTED: Your question is legitimate. You’ve been dating someone for a little over a year who has made it clear that he wants to keep his options open. Since he refuses to discuss the topic, you need to decide how much more time you think you can invest in a relationship that may be going nowhere. After that, set a deadline and be ready to move on.

You seem to want different things. I can’t make such a personal decision for you; You have to decide that for yourself.

Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and created by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.