Q. Dear Abby: I’m a 20-year-old college student with a great job, life ambitions and parents who love me. They raised me to follow my dreams.

A few months ago I met a wonderful young man who is in the Army. We met on the Internet, communicated online for several weeks, then took the next step to meet in person. “Jack” is 10 years older than I am and has a son from a previous marriage.

When I met him, I realized he was everything a woman could want. I did a background check, and everything he told me is true. He supports me fully in pursuing my degree and my future career. But I’m afraid to introduce him to my parents because they are leery about people meeting on the Internet. They also want me to meet a guy closer to my age.

How do I proceed with this? — Determined in the Southwest

A. Dear Determined: If you want your parents to accept him, you must give them an opportunity to get to know him — and the same applies to you because this romance is fresh. As you communicate with your parents, start mentioning Jack. Tell them he is a member of the military and how you met.

The longer you continue keeping his existence a secret, the more concerned your parents will be when you spring him on them.

Keep your cool. You are your parents’ little girl and always will be. But the decision of who you’ll wind up with is your own to make, not theirs. © 2013 Universal Uclick 2/2