Is it normal to be hopelessly in love with a 51-year-old man (i'm 26)?

I am a 26-year-old woman who's in love with a 51-year-old Canadian man (he lives here in my state). I am crazy about him and check his Facebook page 10+ times per day. He, sadly, doesn't reciprocate my love, though has held my hand and kissed me in public.

He doesn't acknowledge my blatant hints, yet also won't reject them. I'm always left guessing when I'll see him or get a message from him again -- it could be months and it's already been over a month since he last contacted me.

No, he's not married -- we have both not wed and are child-free.

It's a tad challenging to contain my jealousy when I see the single female friends he has on Facebook (the ones of whom I am aware are in other countries, though that hardly helps).

I shared a song I liked and he claimed that it made him want to hug and kiss me. He won't be my man, however, and I can't help but wonder if he's damaged in some way because he's not close to his parents from my understanding.

He has used the words "crazy" and "really mean" to describe his mother and "ornery old man" to describe his dad.

Sigh. I don't think that's it, though. I'm just not good enough for him most likely.

A part of me hopes that he'll change his mind and want to be my boyfriend but I realize that's naive and am currently dating another wonderful man.

It...hurts very much to not be able to have the one you want so badly.

It seems the only time he contacts me is to arrange a day for sex but then was very romantic when we spent a night together back in November.

I've told him that whomever gets to spend her days by his side is so lucky. I do not judge, criticize, or pressure him in any way, yet I'm not enough, and it's quite possibly because I'm unemployed, and live at home. I hope I'm wrong and he's just scared to be vulnerable or something.

He claims to miss me too. I have had vivid dreams about meeting some of his relatives.

God, I love that man, and would be his soft place to fall forever if only he'd have me.

Sorry about the rant -- few places are safe to vent that he will likely not find.

Facebook can be tricky because he is on it a lot but I do vent there when I am able.

Is my situation normal?

Voting Results
47% Normal
Based on 15 votes (7 yes)
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Comments ( 15 )
  • charli.m

    So you're in love with someone who I using you for sex, and you're stringing along some other poor sucker as your "boyfriend"?

    Yeah totally normal.

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    • No, not at all. I suppose I should have been clearer.

      I was not official with the man I'm now seeing when we met up last time. I do not initiate contact with this man and would be honest with him if he contacted me again.

      No one's being strung along by me here.

      I don't think it's wise to believe that he'll finally be mine after 3 years of nothing, so I am dating someone else. As much as I wish he'd love me back, he likely doesn't -- and I deserve better. I just have a twinge of hope that he will change his mind someday and perhaps doesn't trust women for whatever reason.

      Call it what you will...

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      • charli.m

        Yes, it is incredibly badly worded. I think I understand what you're saying about the sex...

        But you're still stringing along whoever you're dating if you're in love with someone else. Let that guy go. It won't kill you to be single til you're over the first guy.

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        • chained_rage

          And I find it hilarious that the OP's username is 'Grammar'

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          • charli.m

            It's unfortunate :/

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        • Grammar

          I'll admit that I didn't word that part correctly and should have used past tense. Letting go is easier said than done...

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          • donteatstuffoffthesidewalk

            "Letting go is easier said than done..."

            i just read that as this fellers payin the rent

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          • charli.m

            Yes it's difficult, but does this wonderful man youre dating deserve to be with someone who loves someone else? What if he loves you? Is that fair?

            And your user name...oh honey really? :/

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  • AlleyCat4MissHairyLoveKitten

    I see no problem in age differences
    it's sad he doesn't respond back to you

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  • dirtybirdy

    *waits for gypsysailor...*

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    • NeuroNeptunian

      *sits with you to wait for gypsysailor*

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  • Incomplet

    IIN to be hopelessly amused at how often epic tales are duplicated?

    [Not sure how normal your situation is, sorry. Although I'd err on the side of abnormal.]

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  • green_boogers

    Unrequited love is like your favorite dessert that is long past its expiration date. Read this.

    http://www.wikihow.com/Deal-With-Unrequited-Love

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  • thegypsysailor

    "He's here!"
    If you've spent any time on here, you know my wife is 42 years younger than me (I am NOT rich) and we have a great relationship, so to me the age thing isn't the issue here.
    I think the red flag for me is a 51 year old man that's never been married. He doesn't seem a very good candidate for a LTR, to me.

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    • NeuroNeptunian

      :D my curiosity hath been satisfied.

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