Columns

My best friend is getting married at the end of October and is obviously, VERY excited. She got engaged in December and by January 31st had everything planned and paid for, including her dress, the venue, reception details, DJ, etc. Then she found out she’s pregnant. Her due date is exactly one month before her wedding. This is her first child and I don’t think she realizes what having a newborn will be like, or what kind of complications might arise during the birth and following weeks. Her mom is pushing her to move the wedding date back a couple months but my friend won’t consider it. She even thinks her dress…

It’s time again for Shortcuts. For every question, I’ll give my advice in three sentences or less, because sometimes the answer to a person’s question is so obvious and the need to hear it so great, being as clear and frank as possible is simply the best way to go. Today we discuss what to do when you fall for an FWB, dating an ex’s friend, and loaning a significant other money.

I read an article the other day on the Huffington Post where women in their 40s share with women in their 20s the wisdom they gained from terrible breakups. The words of wisdom are great — “Like yourself more than you need someone to like you.” “Jealousy is not a form of love, it’s a form of control.” “Don’t confuse attraction with love.” — but do women really need to reach 40 before they can dispense, let alone gain, wisdom like that? I think not, otherwise my career as an advice columnist in her mid-30s is pretty screwed. No, I think regardless of your age, there are lots of lessons to be…

I’m a sophomore in college. Over winter break four of my guy friends from high school tried to kiss me. The kicker? All four of these “men” are in relationships. Even if I’m sending some sort of subliminal “open for business” signal, it hardly seems right that they would approach even the most sultry of vixens (which I am not…) with the intention of cheating. I’m currently questioning whether I can trust any man — at least any man under 25 — to stay loyal in a relationship when I seem to serve as an overwhelming example of their willingness to stray. — Confused in College

I started dating “Jane” about two months ago. We met on OKCupid and had a really good first date. Unfortunately, I’ve had to commute for work each week since then, but have seen her every weekend. At the start of January, “Carissa” came onto the work project that I’m traveling for. We had instant chemistry, but I fought it since she’s a coworker (and I was seeing Jane). Fast forward to end of January, and after a long night of drinking with the team, I ended up kissing Carissa in the bar at the end of the night. Things escalated rapidly from there — mostly just physical, but we carpooled to work…

I’m a 27 year old female, and I’ve been with my 31 year old boyfriend for over five years now. We have made a happy and loving life together, including sharing a home, sharing our finances, being closely involved with each other’s families, and we even have two cats and a puppy together. About a year ago we started talking seriously about getting engaged within the next six months, but by the time fall rolled around, my boyfriend told me that though he loves me and wants nothing more than a future with me, he was just not ready for an engagement yet. He had some issues from his parents’ divorces, and…