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I’m 24, work a steady full-time job in a major city, am applying to the master’s program where I work, have paid off my student loans, and just bought a new car. It seems like I have my life in order and this has got me thinking about my future, specifically where my long-time girlfriend fits into it. We met in college and have been dating for over three years now. Our relationship has had its ups and down but I wouldn’t trade the experience for the world. The thing is, we live 70 miles apart now and issues of long-term compatibility have been coming up, making me wonder if we can…

I met Cate a few years ago when I began dating my music-manager boyfriend. Cate was dating Parker, a musician in one the bands my boyfriend managed, so we saw each other at every show and became friendly enough to hang out outside of music venues. It was really nice meeting someone I had so much in common with, as it doesn’t happen very often. However, there were a lot of secrets I knew about Parker that I was unable to tell Cate due to my boyfriend’s management relationship with him. Parker cheated on her many, many times while they were dating and even routinely slept with his roommate/band member/ex-girlfriend, Jessica. Parker…

New readers, welcome to Dear Wendy, a relationship advice blog. Read some of the most popular Dear Wendy posts here. If you don’t find the info you need in this column, please visit the Dear Wendy archives or the forums (you can even start your own thread), do a search in the search bar, or submit a question for advice at wendy(AT)dearwendy.com. About a month and a half ago, I started dating a really great guy. We have incredible chemistry and a lot in common. However, our relationship has already hit a huge hurdle: two weeks ago, his brother passed away very suddenly. Adding to that pain is the fact that his…

Dear Miles, My boyfriend smells like olives. Recently, he took me to dinner at a very romantic tapas bar and we were having a nice time. Until I accidentally ordered a dish that has olives (Eeeewwww.) “No big deal” he said. He LOVES olives and traded plates with me. But, of course, that night when we kissed all I could taste were those gross olives. Even weeks later it’s all I can smell whenever he gets close. I finally talked to him about it and he swears he hasn’t been eating any. I think I hurt his feelings. Nevertheless, he still smells like olives. — In a Pickle.

Dear Miles, I dated this guy at work (Never again!) and don’t know how to handle him. I have a strict policy about not dating co-workers and don’t know why I broke it for him (I’ll call him Larry.) I wasn’t even that into Larry but he asked me out and, before my mind could say no, my big stupid mouth said yes. Needless to say, the date was boring, we both had too much to drink and then I let him kiss me (I don’t know why I did that either.) When I arrived at work Monday morning he mentioned a wedding we’re going to in a couple weeks. I sort…

Dear Miles, My sister in-law and I usually get along pretty well. That is until we had lunch a few months back and she asked to borrow $700. She claimed her job was late with their paychecks and assured me she’d pay me back as soon as she got paid. She also asked me not to tell my husband (her brother.) I’ve seen her at a couple of family gatherings since then and she acted like none of this ever happened. And when I attempted to bring it up she changed the subject. Should I say something to my husband? (We haven’t been getting along well lately and I don’t want to…