ArcaMax

Dear Wondering: Hooray on your choice to get married. Marriage is about many of the things you've already experienced; it's an expression of the power of commitment, as well as the official making of a family with another person.

Do not confuse marriage with a wedding.

I don't think it's in poor taste for you to register for gifts, but ... some of your guests might. Presumably they are aware of your 100 percent anti-marriage stance. They know you've been living together for a long time.

You don't say how you are going to finance a wedding, but I hope you don't dip into your savings. The money spent on an elaborate celebration could be put toward the sorts of things you would be registering for.

Perhaps you two could host a fun, DIY wedding. Friends and family members could help you to pull it together.

And go ahead and register. You should not advertise your registry on the invitation, but if people inquire, you could point them toward your wish list.

Dear Amy: "Sick at Heart" witnessed a child screaming at a bus stop. The child's mother was holding onto his shirt and yelling at him. The child's mother said he would run away if she didn't hold him back.

I cannot believe you advised this busybody to attempt to speak to the child.

You speak to my child without my permission, and it's the last thing you'll do.

-- Furious

Dear Furious: "Sick at Heart" had already heard the mother say that if she didn't restrain the child, he would run. In my response, I suggested that Sick should start by addressing the parent directly: "Wow, this is rough. Can I help?"

I suggested that they then could try to disrupt the action by attempting to speak to the child.

Any good parent should understand that when things are out of control, other concerned adults might try to intervene.

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(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@amydickinson.com. Readers may send postal mail to Ask Amy, P.O. Box 194, Freeville, NY 13068. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook.)