Things aren't going as I wanted them to.

[Guest]

I'm 17 and my boyfriend is 21. We met online 10 months ago and have been dating for 8 months. Recently, we had the wonderful opportunity of being able to meet each other which has been a very long, patient wait for both of us. However, my parents aren't too keen on the idea of meeting someone for the first time that I "have never met" due to his personal background. I'll admit he isn't the most perfect person in the world because of this, but he is looking to make a change and strongly believes I can help him. He wanted to move to my location and start from scratch --including nowhere to stay. I currently live with my mother, and she is scared of him intruding in our home when she's gone or him hurting me when I'm with him. I have asked her multiple times if she was open to the idea of meeting him; she angrily denies every time I bring it up.

My boyfriend is aware I am underage and has no intention of being physical until I am of age. He wanted me to stay with my mom until I am through with college but she is close-minded to the idea of him being anywhere near us. Unfortunately. This has led to his idea of running away back to his parents with me. They would shelter us until we got on our feet to move out. However, my parents are in the process of a divorce, and I don't know if I could leave the state without their permission or pulling me back. I have thought about the idea of emancipation but that would require me to pay a fee which I do not have money for.

I have been fighting the thought of wanting to run away with him because I love and respect my parents so much, but I also love this man and I don't believe he would ever hurt me, and I do believe he has my best interest in mind. I can't help but get angry at my parents whenever they both shoot down the idea of meeting him in person for the first time, and mention that I should get a boyfriend I actually know that doesn't have his background. I know I would hate myself because I'd be giving up so many opportunities if I left, but I couldn't live with myself if I let him slip through my fingers. My parents know I suffer from extreme depression and anxiety, and I don't know what I would do without him to help me through these illnesses.

What can I do?

[ccsmod4]

Reply:
Things aren't going as I wanted them to

Hello,
Thank you for writing to us here at the National Runaway Safeline.

We understand it takes great courage to reach out, and we appreciate you sharing a little bit about what’s going on.
It sounds like you are having a tough time convincing your parents to meet your boyfriend because of some reservations they have about him. That’s tough.
We understand how this must be frustrating for you. it sounds like you are caught between running away and staying at home and waiting until you are 18.
It also sounds like you have been weighing those options based on the respect for your parents and some goals you would like to reach. Good for you.

We want you to know that we are here as support to help you through this challenging time. We can best help by phone or chat as NRS is unable to respond more than twice by email or bulletin for assistance. If you would like to talk more in detail and explore some options, please call or chat soon.
Our contact information is 1-800-RUNAWAY (786-2929); www.1800runaway.org (click on the chat button).

If you are at risk of any danger or feeling unsafe, we encourage you to reach out to or seek emergency assistance immediately.
We hope to hear from you soon.

Be safe,
NRS