Question:
Well I"m sure some of us have been here before but I never thought I'd find myself in this position. Well here I am and here's the story:
I'm 22, going to be 23 in July and I"m in teacher's college so I'll be a certified teacher in less than 8 months.
This girl that I met a church gathering and I hit it off, we exchanged emails etc and we've met a couple of times, things were good.
The last time we met we talked more and she told me how old she was, I was a bit suprised because 1: her maturity level and 2: she just looks older,
she turns out to be 17 and will be 18 in febuary, she's still in highschool with one year left.
So the question now is what to do about our relationship, we're good friends and we've discussed to possiblity of being more than that in the future but now there is obsiouly an age difference but what I'm more concerned about is professionalism, as in she's in highschool, I'm giong to be a teacher, that won't look so good and well people these days have concerns about young male teachers and highschool female students.
Suggestions? How do I handle this? I mean I like her, she's a great friend, there is potential for more than that and I'd be lying if I said I wouldn't consider being more but now that this situation has arised I am having second thoughts because I've always been weary of age differences, even more so now given the profession I'm in.
Any help would be greatly appricated, as for now we've kind of decided to be friends and keep hanging out and not pursue anything until she turns 18 but even then she's still in high school.
Answer:
Five years is nothing when it gets right down to it.
As long as she's not one of your students, go for it.
Answer:
Just make sure you guys don't go around making it public knowledge. My old percussion instructor (22 year old intern) had a thing for one of the girls (17) and they made sure they didn't say anything about it for a long time. Once she turned 18, a few close friends were told, but that's it. They still go off the story they "hit it off" after she graduated, but a lot of us know the truth to be a little different :P.
Answer:
Well for sure she won't be one of my students, by the time I'm done college and certified she'll be half way through her last year and chances are I won't get a job at her school. Thanks for the advice, we're definitly keeping it low key and non public. This week I'm visiting with her family so her parents can give the me cross examination (which I think is good) and we're still only going to be friends untill she is 18.
Answer:
Sounds like the smart thing to me, my good man. Good approach.
Answer:
Here is an interesting turn of events that I could use your advice on.
We've been casually getting together and building our friendship, her prom is comming up and she asked me to be her date.
What do you think I should do?
My initial thoughts, yeah she's a great girl and it would be nice to take her to the prom BUT
given the circomstances, this could be very risky and some might consider inappropriate. She's great and I'd hate her to be without a "date" for her prom but I'm a bit aprehensive to be honost. Suggestions?
Thanks!
Answer:
Originally Posted by 4Glory My initial thoughts, yeah she's a great girl and it would be nice to take her to the prom BUT
given the circomstances, this could be very risky and some might consider inappropriate. She's great and I'd hate her to be without a "date" for her prom but I'm a bit aprehensive to be honost. Suggestions?
Thanks! I had a friend (who was at the time 19) who went to prom with a guy who was 25 (and had openly expressed interest in her). No one said anything.

Proms are usually a pretty mixed bag, age-wise.
Answer:
Just an update,
we've decided that this time around I won't go to the prom with her and I talked with her parents and they are cool with us hanging out. We're still sticking to a one or twice a week get together and keeping things low key while building our friendship. We arn't offically dating and probably won't be fore a bit, if it even goes that way (although I think I'd like it to, we'll see)
Answer:
I just wanted to give you my opinion and say I think you are doing a wonderful job at handling this, contrary to your concern in your first post. I think the absolute best way to go about these things is with the parents' permission and blessing (aside from rare cases) and it looks like you have both. I think you and she are both building your relationship wisely. my best wishes for your future, however it goes.