Columns

In today’s column, we have two letters for the price of one. Read on: I’m 32 and I have a guy friend who has feelings for me that I don’t have for him. We dated for a brief period, I broke it off, and we have continued being friends for about two years. However, while we both are acutely aware that I am not interested in an intimate relationship with him and want to remain on a friends’ level, he has made it extremely clear through his words and behavior that he is in love with me, almost to the point of an obsession. I feel like he does not respect my…

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in just a few sentences because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great that being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go. My friend is turning 50 and wants a party. I don’t mind throwing her a small party for close friends and family with several people helping out bringing a dish and drinks, but she wants it at an event place with a rental fee and she has a list of 150 guests. She mentioned she saved $500 and her mom is…

I have been serious with my boyfriend for a little over two years. In the last three to four months he has moved in with me. At first he stayed only two to three nights at a time, but now he has a closet and what I hope are most of his things here. He has three children I have never met, and I haven’t met his mom either. I met his two brothers once because I had tickets and took all of them to a game. The relationship we have, in my eyes, is very mind/spirit/body — we get along awesomely! We enjoy each other’s company, laugh together, and share our thoughts….

I recently got back together with my girlfriend of four (off and on) years. We’ve been together three months, and at the beginning she told me she had cheated on me after a couple of weeks. I instantly forgave her because I know what it feels like to cheat and regret it. A month later she got drunk and got a little frisky with her friend. I was upset but brushed it off since she was, in fact, completely wasted, and I know she loves me with all her heart. Now I am the one that almost cheated. I got really drunk this past week and this guy I know tried to…

I have a recurring dating dilemma. I meet a guy and he asks for my number, sometimes we go out and sometimes he never does ask me out. Almost always the man just stops talking to me after maybe two weeks; sometimes months go by and I’ll receive a random text of desperation: “Hi, what happened to you? I had so much going on in my personal life at the time, but I’m ready to pursue you if you are still single.” I can’t tell you how many times I have received this text. I want to tell the guy to kick rocks, but I never do. I just take a bow….