I met a wonderful guy through a reputable online dating app. We’ve been texting daily in the app for a month and there’s a definite connection. I’m in my early 50s, he’s in his early 60s. I’m impressed and touched at the way he cares for his dad who is in his late 80s. He doesn’t complain, he cooks, cleans, shops, jokes with his dad, and makes his life as pleasant as possible. I asked him his plans for the future and he said that he will take care of his father until the end. Then he wants to turn up his romantic life, travel and do him. I’m glad he has a plan for his own happiness. Right now though, getting to know him has been a challenge. We text a few lines and then he has to get back to caregiving. Most times it’s near midnight after he has gotten his dad to bed and done the evening chores. He texts me, texts a line or two and then nothing; Poor exhausted fellow falls asleep and I’m left hanging. He’ll eventuality wake up in the wee hours of the night to send an apology. So far, I’ve not gotten angry. How can I? But how am I supposed to get to know him with little snippets of texts each day? We have talked on the telephone. And I did have a background check run on him, and everything checks out. We have both made it clear that we like each other a lot. And I think he’s worth being patient for. How do we make this work when his day is so circumscribed that there’s no time of day to have his undivided attention to get off a meaningful conversation or just finish a conversation? Am I asking too much? I’m not asking to be number one or number anything. His father is and should be the priority. Every day is a gift at that age. What should my expectations be in this blossoming relationship? He has expressed that he does not want to lose me. Please bring on the advice.
"...What should my expectations be in this blossoming relationship?..."
Your guy hardly has anytime for himself and much less for a relationship. So, I wouldn't characterize your relationship as "blossoming." It's not going to blossom into anything fulfilling by your expectation. Perhaps after his dad dies. It could be months or it could be years from now.
He needs a bit of relationship outside of his stressful caregiving job. I totally get it and I don't blame him. Caregiving sucks the life out of the caregivers. So he went searching online and met you. Whatever attention he can give you now is probably the most he can give you. Demanding more from him will put extra burden and extra stress on the poor guy, and will result in disappointment on your part.
So, the decision is yours. Accept him as he is and be OK with the little attention he can give you. Or move on. Both choices are not wrong. The wrong choice is staying with him and demanding more attention which he can't give.
Does he have any help caring for his dad?
I know it's easy to get hopes up but, what types of information do background checks give you?