ArcaMax

DEAR ABBY: I have been thinking a lot lately about my first love. The thoughts come and go, which I know is normal. A week or so ago, I stumbled upon her LinkedIn account, saw her profile picture and couldn't help but reminisce about all the good times we had together 15 years ago. I'm 35 now and have been in a relationship for seven years. She ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been together for 16 years (eight years married). When we were first married, we had fun. He used to take me out on dates. He knows I enjoy dining and dancing, but it has been years since he invited me out. I have talked to him about this on multiple occasions, and he says he hears me, but we never do anything. I...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I recently married an old high school flame after 30 years apart. Since we are both in our 50s, we wanted a low-key ceremony -- no wedding, no fuss, just us, madly in love and doing our thing. My older sister, the only person we told, begged me to be included -- "At least let me sign as witness. At least let me bring a cake. At least ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: A few years ago, we were invited to my cousin's eldest daughter's wedding. Although my cousin and I are close, I barely know the daughter. We were invited only because my cousin wanted me there. The wedding was out of town, which necessitated a motel stay, meals and gas, in addition to a generous cash gift. The cash gift was what the ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I recently realized that my sister-in-law has been kissing my boyfriend on the mouth every time she greets him. We all live in the same town and get together for dinners and events often. I love my SIL and don't believe she would ever do anything to hurt me or my brother. Our families and my mom are all close.

This all came to light ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My younger sister and I were close growing up. We didn't have many friends, but we were always willing to play games and have fun with each other. At one point, my sister said she wanted to marry me when we grew up. I didn't think much of it because we were still kids, and I figured she didn't know there were different types of love. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a middle-aged slender woman born into a family of women who have always struggled with weight. Ever since I can remember, I have been subjected to nasty jibes and microaggressions regarding my weight.

My siblings have always kept a close eye on my waistline for clues that I could be gaining. They have also bullied and excluded ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My sister, brother and I lost our mom to dementia six months ago. We needed to start cleaning out the house. My brother, who lives in assisted living was unable to help.

When I mentioned to my sister that I was going to start cleaning out the kitchen, she told me she didn't want me there alone. I told her when a person offers to help...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been friends with another couple for 15 years. We would see each other once or twice a week, alternating between each other's home and occasionally out to dinner, where we took turns paying the bill.

Three years ago, we bought our dream home, and since then, our friends have stopped inviting us over to theirs. ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have started seeing someone I've known for years. On our first date, he told me he had tried multiple times to divorce his ex of many years. He said they live in different states, and each time he's tried, something has gone awry.

I'm about to start nursing school, and what I want is a relationship of convenience to work around my ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have four kids, so there are many, many appointments to make and keep. We both have full-time jobs, so we split up the responsibilities by category; I get the pediatrician visits, and he does orthodontist and dentist. This works fine for me, but for some reason, these offices are stubbornly unwilling to communicate ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My siblings and I are estranged. I live in a different state. My brother and I never got along and stopped speaking many years ago. My older sister and I, after a long, toxic relationship, finally had a blowout after Dad passed. We haven't spoken since. My younger sister took my older sister's side and doesn't speak to me either.

I ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I have anger issues that were passed down among the men in my family. My mother is a strong woman and wouldn't let my father get away with too much, but still, the impact is there. As a young adult, I realize I am exhibiting some of the same behavior as my dad.

I've never raised a hand to anyone. I can hang onto my cool when arguing ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: I am a mental health therapist, and one of my favorite things to do is to read about people's experiences. Part of that is reading advice columns such as yours. More than once, a person has written about being a part of an open relationship (I'm talking about consensual situations). Your negative bias and judgment always come through ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My ex-husband and I share a 3-year-old grandchild through our son. Until now, it hasn't been a big problem because I live in the same city as my son's family, but that's about to change. My grandson is the joy of my life, and I plan to visit wherever they move after my son's job transfer. I had been considering a move back to our ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My stepdaughter "Annie" gave my husband a photo album of his life for his 80th birthday. The album included pictures of his parents and grandparents as well as photos from his first marriage -- to Annie's mother. She included one picture of their wedding and two more of them posing as a loving couple. She included few pictures of me, ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My 18-year-old daughter recently broke up with her boyfriend. She caught him on the phone talking with another female, and there were other signs of his cheating as well. She's devastated, and so am I. I really liked the guy, but he obviously didn't care for my daughter or her feelings.

I told my daughter everything will be OK in ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My friend of 30 years passed away two years ago. Her husband, with whom I had a cordial relationship, has been calling me and other friends of his wife nonstop. He usually calls with irrelevant nonsense.

One time, I decided not to answer any of his many calls per day. When I finally felt guilty and answered, he was furious. He ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My fiance's daughter is having a baby. Her mother is helping give the shower. My fiance and his ex have been divorced for 21 years. She was the one who cheated, asked for the divorce and kicked him out. She threatened not to attend her daughter's wedding because he was bringing me. We have been together nine years now.

I am not ...Read more

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I were together for 11 years, married for six of them. I had an alcohol addiction for the last few years, which led to my being unfaithful. He never drank, so he had a hard time understanding my addiction problem. After I got a DUI, he finally left me.

Two weeks later, he was already in another relationship! We ...Read more