Life Advice
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Ask Anna: I still think about my ex years later. Should I contact them?
Dear Anna,
A few years ago, I fell into an intense long-distance relationship with someone I met through a fandom community. We went from friends to lovers, writing smutty fan fic together and talking every day. They already had a long-term partner, and although they had always considered themselves open, I was the first person they had ...Read more
Asking Eric: After estrangement, son misses out on hefty inheritance
Dear Eric: I lost my husband two years ago after a long, drawn-out decline. It was a traumatic ending.
Our son, now in his late 40s, was indifferent to his father’s decline. Our son has always been a challenge. Difficult teenage years with lots of poor decisions and rebellious behavior. He did not want to be a part of our family and has ...Read more
Person Struggles With Insecurity After Being Ghosted
DEAR HARRIETTE: I got out of a five-year relationship eight months ago and finally felt like I was ready to get back out there. I signed up for a dating app and matched with a guy. We talked for about a week and decided to meet up. However, he wasn't responsive the day of the date. I checked in multiple times, but after not hearing back, I knew ...Read more
Please Don't 'correct' People's Obituaries
DEAR MISS MANNERS: There was a 60-year member of our church who lived in our town all of her life, enjoying a 70-year marriage and raising four children here. In her 80s, she was widowed and lucky enough to remarry.
When she passed on, I was shocked to see that her newspaper obituary omitted any reference to her first marriage, her church, and ...Read more
Fish-Sitting Favor Ends in Guilt
Dear Annie: I am 22 and working at my first job out of college. My salary is low and just covers my rent, car payments and basic living expenses. I have no savings yet.
Recently, my neighbor, whom I know only to wave at, asked me to feed her fish while she went out of town. I agreed, and she took me into her apartment where she showed me her ...Read more
Politics Form Wedge Between Mother And Daughter
DEAR ABBY: After the last presidential election, my daughter, "Cindy," whom I love with all my heart, turned against me.
Cindy started rebelling when she was a teenager. Our relationship was rocky for some time, but I never stopped loving her. Once she matured, our relationship became much better, so I was shocked when she turned on me in such ...Read more
Single File: Freedom to Be
From one of my favorite books, "Risking," by David Viscott, here are some truths that resonate today as powerfully (maybe even more so) as they did when they were first published. Please give each one the time it deserves, and let me know your thoughts about them.
--For a relationship to work, both partners must have all the freedom, privacy ...Read more
Ask Dating Coach Erika: How do I get him to stop drinking?
In any relationship, budding or established, there are two competing philosophies: Take people as they come vs. ask for what you want/need, especially when it comes to certain behaviors. I want to share that these two things can co-exist, and neither has to necessarily take precedence over the other.
Yes, we have to take people as they come, ...Read more
Asking Eric: Mother struggles to tell daughters about medical diagnosis
Dear Eric: I have been undergoing tests to confirm a diagnosis of multiple myeloma, and all the signs are pointing in that direction. While I navigate the medical system, test results and diagnosis, I am faced with the challenge of telling people about all of this.
I have three grown daughters who are relatively settled in life. I would like to...Read more
70-Year-Old Has Intimacy Concerns
DEAR HARRIETTE: I have not been on the dating scene for years, but I recently put myself out there. I am a young 70-year-old, and I met a man who is in his late 50s. We hit it off and like each other a lot. We do have a problem, though. We attempted to get intimate, and it was uncomfortable and painful. It was awkward, but we still had a nice ...Read more
Countering Negative Comments From Daughter's New Mil
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My daughter married a very nice man 18 months ago. We have had some contact with the in-laws, and are friendly.
The mother-in-law tends to be very negative, and is known to say unkind things about whoever isn't present. I ran into her while shopping, and she went into how she was worried about my daughter: She looks sad, she ...Read more
Feeling Forgotten by a Flaky Friend
Dear Annie: My best friend has become impossible to make plans with. She says yes to everything, then cancels at the last minute with a vague excuse. Sometimes she says she is "too tired," other times she says work got crazy, and once she forgot completely until I texted from the restaurant asking if she was on her way. The worst was when I saw ...Read more
Wife Of Two Years Appears To Be Hiding Many Things
DEAR ABBY: I have been married to my wife for two years. We met online and have known each other for about five years. We originally lived an hour apart, and after some persuasion, we bought a condo together.
Everything was going great until I began to notice my wife's attraction to other women. I noticed lesbians "cruising" my wife wherever we...Read more
Asking Eric: After helping with car trouble, neighbor gives silent treatment
Dear Eric: My boyfriend has a second home in Florida where we stay three to four months a year. He pays "Marcus", a neighbor, to look in on the house and drive the car when we're not there.
Marcus has had issues with the car. One year, he apparently drove the car without gas and caused significant damage. The car is ancient, we could not prove ...Read more
Student Feels Guilty For Moving
DEAR HARRIETTE: I moved states for college in order to attend my dream institution and help turn my dreams into reality. Obviously, moving for college was a massive adjustment for my family and me. I try to talk on the phone every day, but every once in a while, I miss a call due to the stress of school and living in the city. The other day I ...Read more
Help! My Brother-In-Law Minded His Own Business, For Once
DEAR MISS MANNERS: My husband and I went on a trip to visit my mother-in-law. While we were there, she suggested that my husband's brother and wife also join us for dinner. We rarely see them and my husband thought it was a great idea.
A little background: In the last six months, I was very ill and lost a substantial amount of weight. I am now ...Read more
Husband's Dream Hobby Has Become a Nightmare
Dear Annie: My husband recently bought an old classic car, the kind he has dreamed about since he was 17. He made the purchase after seeing one roaring down Main Street with the top down. It is shiny, loud, impractical and, according to him, "an investment." According to me, it is a very expensive midlife crisis with chrome bumpers.
He found ...Read more
Impromptu Family Reunion Becomes Source Of Contention
DEAR ABBY: I recently hosted a family gathering that included my adult cousin and his wife, who live locally, and my son, daughter-in-law and their son, who traveled from Georgia to Pennsylvania to visit.
Since my son and family rarely see relatives, I thought it would be great to get everyone together. At the gathering, my son barely ...Read more
Asking Eric: After getting cash to help with basic training expenses, enlistee drops out
Dear Eric: A family member chose to enlist in the Marines. A party was held for him. Everybody was asked to give cash, so he’d have what he needed while in basic training.
Less than 24 hours later we were told he changed his mind and decided not to enlist which thrilled everyone.
We were told that now the party was for his high school ...Read more
Reader Scared To Throw Things Away
DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in the process of moving and have come to the realization that I have too much stuff. I'm aware that I need to throw some things away; however, I feel selfish getting rid of things. I don't come from a lot of money and often feel like getting rid of things is just throwing money away. By no means am I a hoarder or live in ...Read more
Inside Life Advice
Popular Stories
- Ask Anna: I still think about my ex years later. Should I contact them?
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