Dear Annie 3/5
Dear Annie: I have a friend who I met when we were classmates, and I hadn’t seen him in years. We finally got together, with me going to his residence, and we had a good time. Afterward, no call or text from him. When we do talk, it’s me making the call.
Three months after I visited, his brother passed. He did contact me to let me know. Upon the passing, I offered my home for him to stay for the funeral, which was in my town. Another three months passed with silence, and I didn’t call.
Three months later, he called, saying he was coming to town for another reason. Again, I offered my home. I tried my best to be a good hostess. He told me he would be back to visit in a couple of months but then later stated he was going out of town during that time. He says I’m a nice person but the four-hour drive is a conflict. What are your thoughts on this? I feel that he’s manipulating me. I need a response. – A Woman Who Cares
Dear Woman Who Cares: I feel that your instincts are correct. This guy’s flakiness and lack of communication would not translate well into a relationship. He said it himself: He’s not willing to commit to someone who lives four hours away.
My advice is to forget about this guy and look for men a little closer to home.
Dear Annie: After 10 long years of dating, my boyfriend proposed to me. I am happy, but things are awkward with his family. There has never been an effort to make me feel welcome.
After years of complaining, he finally asked his mother, and she admitted she never liked me and I’m a big mistake. He was very heartbroken. He and I are sticking with each other and our dreams. One of his dreams is for his family to be more accepting. He plans to invite them to our wedding. I will not say no or tell him it displeases me, but I don’t want them there.
What should I do? – Wanna Be Free to Be Me
Dear Wanna Be Free: I’m so sorry to hear that what should be an exciting time full of love and anticipation has turned stressful and sour on account of your soon-to-be in-laws. But don’t close the door on your fiance’s family. Make the effort to be involved and get to know them better, for your fiance’s sake if nothing else. In turn, they’ll get to know you better and hopefully realize they’ve been mistaken all along.
Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.