ArcaMax

Lately, my workout log has been giving me evidence I can feel proud of. I'm inching toward my bench goal with cleaner reps. I'm rowing the weight of a whole grown adult and can deadlift what is likely a fit middle schooler. These numbers mean something to me because I know what it took to get here: showing up, showing up again, and then showing ...Read more

Dear Annie: One of my closest friends is getting married overseas next summer, and I am genuinely heartsick over whether to go.

We have been friends for nearly 20 years. We have seen each other through breakups, babies, family losses and all the ordinary ups and downs of life. When she got engaged, I assumed I would be there. I never imagined...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My mom and my wonderful canine companion passed away within six months. My husband has battled addiction for years. I discovered the extent of it after I had two small children and was ending our marriage. He went to AA, sobered up and was wonderful for the next 10 years. During that time, we had two more children.

We sacrificed ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My co-worker keeps leaning on me for support even though we both are in the same leadership position and have our own teams to run. She gets frazzled when there's a lot on her plate. I'm the opposite: When I feel overwhelmed, keeping my composure is the only thing that helps. But because I am calm and don't panic when I have a ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have been going to a nail salon twice a month for two years. The owner and staff are all Vietnamese. My manicurist gives wonderful mani-pedis, and I have no complaints about the service.

At some point during each appointment, and sometimes several times while I am there, the owner and some employees will have a conversation...Read more

Dear Annie: This might seem a little weird for a 78-year-old man, but this really bothers me. When I was in elementary and high school, I wasn't liked by many of my fellow students. I was shy, a bit awkward and the target of bullying. I never fit in, and I thought high school would never end.

Things were better in college. I graduated and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a man in his 60s who lost his wife two years ago to a heart attack. I have fallen in love with my cousin, who is also in her 60s, divorced and a lawyer. Is it reasonable for me to ask her to go with me on dates? Can a man marry his first cousin? -- CONFUSED IN NEW JERSEY

DEAR CONFUSED: According to the free legal reference ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: My neighbor ran over my cat and is lying about it, even though we captured it on our Ring Doorbell camera. Our cat is an indoor and outdoor cat, and during the day he likes to wander around the neighborhood. He is well-known by all our neighbors, and everyone loves to give him treats and pet him. One day, the teenage son of our ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: I have just returned from a weekend at a so-called friend's home, and talk about feeling unwelcome. She was on my heels "cleaning up" after me all weekend, and I didn't make a mess!

I was given a towel and washcloth. After using them, I neatly hung them on her towel bar, only to be later told that they had been moved to the ...Read more

Dear Annie: My siblings and I usually go in on gifts for my parents for birthdays and holidays. Since there are five of us, we can pool enough for something really nice, such as new golf clubs or a weekend away, rather than five smaller separate gifts.

My dad's birthday is coming up, and my sister sent around her usual text to coordinate. The...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a man in my late 60s who hasn't had a family birthday party since I was a child. My mother's birthday is seven days from mine, so celebrations were always for her, and mine were sort of lost in the shuffle. This was never a problem for me when I was younger, but as I get older, I think it would be nice to have a party.

When I ...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I said "I love you" during sex, and I meant it. I've been dating my guy for less than a year, but I appreciate everything about him and our bond. We have grown so close in so little time, but I don't think he's quite there yet. When I said it, I really wanted him to know -- but my timing probably wasn't the best. I was just ...Read more

DEAR MISS MANNERS: When my friend of over 50 years and I lived only an hour and a half from each other, I spent a great deal of time at her house. This included spending time with her husband, and we all got along very well.

But on their 45th wedding anniversary, which was my last time to visit as I was moving away, her husband propositioned me...Read more

Dear Annie: I recently returned from a lovely two-week vacation to Europe with my husband. It's rare that we get a trip like this, so we were looking forward to it, and it did not disappoint!

I set clear expectations with my team at work beforehand that I'd be fully off work. Everyone respected that -- except my boss, who texted me not once ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiance gets annoyed and calls it weird that I talk to my daughter every morning on my way to work and in the afternoon on my way home. She's a wife and young mother of two, ages 1 and 4. I'm proud of how well she is doing.

I work full time, and she works part time. We're both always busy, so we don't see each other as often as we'...Read more