ArcaMax

DEAR HARRIETTE: I started dating a guy a couple of months ago. We're still getting to know each other, and recently he told me something new about himself, and I'm not sure how I feel about it. Sometimes we spend the night together, and yes, if you're wondering, when we do, we are usually physically intimate. Recently, he invited me over for a ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have been married to my husband for 18 years, and I love him deeply. He is kind, hardworking and devoted to our family. He will fix anything that breaks, drive across town if one of the kids needs something and make me coffee every morning without being asked. In so many ways, he shows up.

But emotionally, I often feel ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: Last year, a lifelong friend of mine, "Lisa," succumbed to long-term cancer. I'm close to her only child, "Becky." About six months after Lisa's death, Becky's father, "Jack," informed her that he had a steady girlfriend. Becky became upset, accusing him of being unfaithful as her mother lay dying.

Becky's father clapped back, saying...Read more

DEAR HARRIETTE: I am in my 70s and have been single for about 20 years. I am a vibrant woman, and I have wanted to be in a relationship for some time. A few months ago, I started dating a nice guy who is about 15 years younger than me. We get along great for the most part, but recently he revealed he has a lot of health issues. I think he had ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for six years, and every holiday now feels less like a celebration and more like a negotiation.

My family lives about an hour away. My parents host a big Thanksgiving and Christmas every year with my siblings, nieces, nephews and all the traditions I grew up with. My mother starts planning weeks ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 34 years old and have been diagnosed with schizoaffective bipolar disorder. I have been in treatment for years with a psychiatrist and a therapist, and I take my medication daily as instructed. I do not drink or use drugs. I am committed to my mental health to prove that people like me can lead full lives.

My family wants me to ...Read more

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