Ask Amy: She feels 'odd' about online contact

Dear Amy: I created a Facebook account for the sole purpose of checking a work Facebook site. I never sign on, but have accepted "friend" requests with a bemused laugh until the guy I dated as a senior in high school contacted me.

He also e-mailed me. I responded and was shocked to hear that he thinks of me often. It has been 24 years since I've seen him, so that seemed strange to me.

I looked at his profile; he is married with four children. He e-mailed and asked if I would call him and listed the best time to call (obviously his work hours). I am slightly disgusted that he wants to talk to me but is obviously hiding this from his wife.

I've told my significant other about this conversation and he is not concerned, but at the same time I feel odd. His wife's profile reads, "I love being married to my best friend," and I want to rant at him for doing this to her.

I'm not looking to relive my high school days but would like a platonic friendship, if possible. How should I handle this? Should I try to talk about neutral subjects or should I get out of this out of respect for his wife?

We live at least 1,000 miles apart, so there is no "getting together" in the future. I'd like to have a friendship that does not hurt his wife.

- Help! In Idaho

Dear Help!: If you are interested in a platonic friendship, you can tell your old friend in an e-mail that it makes you uncomfortable being in touch without his wife's knowledge.

Say you are happily in a relationship and would be interested in hearing about his wife and kids.

Your old friend can read this however he wants to, but if being in touch makes you feel "odd," then respect the feeling and don't respond.

Facebook can be the source of inappropriate relationships between people, but can also instigate rewarding friendships between families.