In a recent letter to Dear Abby, a 20-year-old woman from Idaho expressed her frustration over living with her 19-year-old sister and her new boyfriend. The woman had initially thought that living with her sister would be a great idea, as they would get to spend more time together and be more comfortable living together than with strangers. However, her sister's new boyfriend has become a constant presence in their apartment, which makes the woman feel threatened, even though he hasn't done anything wrong. The boyfriend often comes over during the day, but the most disturbing part for the woman is that he sneaks out of his parents' house at 2 a.m. to sleep with her sister almost every night.
The woman has tried to communicate her discomfort to her sister and asked her to refrain from bringing her boyfriend over or having him stay the night when she is home. However, her sister has not been receptive to her concerns, becoming defensive and shifting the blame onto the woman for always being home. The woman feels trapped and doesn't know what to do. She contemplates moving out and finding her sister a new roommate, but she doesn't want to offend her.
In response to her letter, Dear Abby advises the troubled sister to face the reality that living with her sister was not a good idea. She points out that the sister is immature and unwilling to compromise. Abby warns that if the sister continues to encourage her boyfriend to sneak out of his parents' house to be with her, it won't end well when his parents eventually find out. Abby suggests that the woman calmly explains to her sister that their lifestyles are too different, and she will be finding another place to live. She also adds that offering to help her sister find a new roommate would be generous but ultimately the sister's responsibility.
In another letter to Dear Abby, a reader from New Jersey raises concerns about her husband's refusal to wear his wedding ring. The reader states that her husband only wears jewelry when going out but never his wedding ring. She has brought this up multiple times over the years, and most recently, she noticed him wearing all his "going-out jewelry" with another ring on his right ring finger. When questioned about it, he claims that he can't wear his wedding ring due to his job and hobbies.
Dear Abby offers her perspective on the situation, suggesting that the husband may not want to be easily recognized as married. She advises the reader to have an open conversation with her husband about this issue, allowing him to explain his reasoning. However, Abby highlights that trust and communication are crucial in a marriage, and if the husband's actions continue to raise doubts, the couple might need professional help to address the underlying issues.
In yet another heartfelt letter to Dear Abby, a grieving husband from Florida shares his devastation upon discovering that his wife had two infidelities during their 30-year marriage. His wife shared the details of these affairs, claiming that one was an unprovoked attack by a friend from their church, and the other was a relationship she developed with someone she met at a bar while the husband was away on business trips. The husband is skeptical of her explanation and finds it difficult to cope with the newfound information.
Dear Abby responds to his letter with empathy, understanding the pain he is experiencing. She advises him to seek the help of a marriage and family counselor to navigate through the questions and doubts that have arisen from this revelation. Abby suggests that once the husband begins counseling, he should invite his wife to join him. She emphasizes that trust is the foundation of a solid marriage and that rebuilding that trust will be essential for healing.
Lastly, a grieving widower from Alabama seeks advice from Dear Abby on how long he should wait before considering dating and finding someone to share his life with. The widower had been married to his high school sweetheart for 40 years and is now lonely and alone after her passing. He mentions that he is being bombarded with interest from women he doesn't know, which has taken him by surprise.
Dear Abby expresses her sympathy for his loss and acknowledges his loneliness, pain, and vulnerability. She advises him to take his time and not rush into any quick relationships. As a senior widower, he is now a sought-after prospect, and many women will show interest as time goes on. Abby recommends that he follow the common advice of not making any significant decisions for at least a year after experiencing such a loss. She encourages him to take his time, avoid rushing into commitments, and prioritize his healing process.
themes: Florida New Jersey Alabama Idaho
