ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: My fiance's parents offered to pay for our wedding, which he and I both graciously accepted as we are not in the kind of financial standing to afford a nice wedding right now. At first, I didn't think anything of it, but now I realize this was a mistake as my husband's mom wants to have control over all the decisions.

When we ...Read more

Dear Annie: I am 72 years old, and lately I have been struggling with something I never expected about getting older: I feel increasingly invisible.

I have a full life. I have children and grandchildren I adore, longtime friends, hobbies I enjoy and a calendar that is often busier than I would like. I exercise, read, travel when I can and ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I went out to run errands, and when I returned home, I found a political sign in our front yard. It seems a candidate asked my husband for a pledge of support, and he agreed to place the sign in our front yard without consulting me.

Because of my job, I have always stayed neutral and never publicly endorsed any candidate for ...Read more

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