Columns

“There is this co-worker who invited me to a gala event some months ago, and I went with her.”

I was reading some advice you gave to someone else in the column, “My Boyfriend Doesn’t Make Enough Money,” and I felt like my relationship has a lot of things in common with that person’s situation. My “fiancé” and I have been together almost four years. I am 32 years old and I have a 12-year-old son with autism. My “fiancé” is 40 and he has two daughters from two previous relationships, 8 and 13 years old. I say “fiancé” because he asked me to marry him on Valentine’s Day 2011 after we were together six months. I said yes and he gave me a nice ring that he said he got…

“I just found out that my younger sister has gotten engaged to her boyfriend whom I seriously do not trust him or like.”

From a recent Dear Prudence column: Is it OK to change your mind about having a baby? My husband and I have been together for over five years, and one of the things that we agreed upon completely during that time was that neither of us wanted children. I truly never thought I would. Over the last few years, though, I have had many friends, family, and co-workers have children, and for the first time been exposed to the joys and awesomeness of having kids (instead of just the horror stories). And I’ve found that my thoughts are turning more and more toward wanting a child. I have brought this up with…

“I know that when I made the decision to allow an extremely attractive stranger to live with me I was taking a dangerous step…”

“I have been dating a guy since August who has been separated and living in a different state from his estranged wife, “Betty,” for sell over a year now.”

“My boyfriend and I met each other 10 years ago, and we got together a couple times then. Four years ago he finally asked me to be his girlfriend…”

“I recently had a brief, but somewhat intense, relationship with someone I thought had the potential to go the distance.”

I’ve been seeing a guy exclusively for almost six months. We spend nearly every evening/night together. We are both 28. He is in graduate school and I am completing a post doc fellowship, so neither of us is rolling in money right now. The week before my birthday I had board exams that were extremely stressful. My guy was very supportive and kind during this time, made me dinner, etc. During my cramming/studying time was Valentine’s Day, he got me one single flower, which was reminiscent of high school…I didn’t want to be an ungrateful jerk, but I would have liked something a little more substantial! Maybe a whole bouquet?? I know…

“A very close friend, “Emily,” recently asked me and another good friend, “Jen,” to be bridesmaids in her upcoming wedding.”