Dear Pastor,

I am 19 and I am dating a 25-year-old guy who lives in New York. He keeps on telling me how much he respects and loves me but whenever I call him he keeps putting me on hold. He puts me on hold for like five minutes at times, and sometimes even longer, and when he comes on the phone he always has an excuse about who he was talking to. I am confused and I really don't know what to believe because I don't live here, I only travel here once or twice every year.

Another thing is that sometimes I hear him talking on his phone and he leaves from where we are and goes elsewhere to speak to whoever it may be. What really makes me believe him is that he will spend hours on the phone with me and I get all the attention, but then he goes and talks to someone else, which makes my mind wander. What am I to believe? Please, give me your advice.

L.G., New York, United States

Dear L.G.,

You cannot be sure whether this man has other women in his life, and to fret about it will not help. He may not speak the truth about other relationships. Long distance relationships don't always work. I wish I could give you the assurance that yours will, but I can't.

Pastor