DEAR ABBY: I am currently deployed in Afghanistan. My best friend’s little sister, “Brittany,” has had a crush on me for years. She has been straightforward about what she wants — marriage, kids, white picket fence, etc. She has always been like a little sister, so it has been awkward. I thought it was weird for a 15-year-old (at the time) to say that to an older soldier on R&R.

During my deployment, Brittany has sent me care packages loaded with cookies. Maybe I should have kept my mouth shut about my weakness for homemade cookies, but hindsight is 20/20. Brittany has now called in the bribe by inviting me to her senior prom. Not wanting to mess with the steady supply of baked goods, I said yes. I figure it’s an appropriate way to say thanks for the cookies.

I intend to make sure Brittany enjoys her prom with her medal-covered arm candy, but I need to let her know that while I’m flattered she thinks so highly of me, I’m not interested in dating her. I love her like a sister. I don’t want to break her heart.

Any suggestions for a guy who’s about as subtle as a tank rolling down a cobblestone road on a Sunday? — MEDAL-COVERED EYE CANDY

DEAR EYE CANDY: How long has it been since you’ve seen Brittany? When you return for that prom, she will no longer be that precocious 15-year-old you remember. By all means show her a nice evening. But don’t say anything you might regret or you may have to eat your words instead of those cookies. If you’re not romantically interested, you’ll date other women and Brittany will catch on soon enough. And you may find that after her glamorous evening with her medal- covered war hero, she sets her sights on someone other than you. Stranger things have happened.

DEAR ABBY: Spring is here, and with it comes the wedding season. Would you please inform your readers about the importance of answering wedding RSVPs? A lot of people appear to need reminding about the need to respond. Thanks! — MOTHER OF A BRIDE AND GROOM

DEAR MOTHER: I’m glad to oblige — and congratulations on the double blessing that’s coming your way in gaining both a daughter and a son!

Readers: When a formal invitation is received, you should immediately return the RSVP card that’s enclosed with it. RSVP is the abbreviation for the French phrase “Repondez s’il vous plait,” which means “Please reply.” It’s important for the people planning the affair to know how many guests will attend so they can be properly provided for — for obvious reasons. So please be polite and don’t keep them wondering.

DEAR ABBY: I’m in love with a woman named “Camille” who has three children from three different fathers. She has never been married. She also has a male “friend” whom she has her children calling “Daddy” even though he’s not. I have loved Camille for 20 years, and our paths recently crossed again. When I first meet her, she had only one child.

Camille says she loves me and wants us to be married, but I’m having a hard time accepting that all of these children’s fathers will be part of our life — as well as the “friend.” Can a psychologist help me get past this? — DEVOTED IN BLOOMINGTON, MINN.

DEAR DEVOTED: I don’t know. But before you take this relationship further, you should DEFINITELY see one.

Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Write Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.

For everything you need to know about wedding planning, order “How to Have a Lovely Wedding.” Send a business-sized, self-addressed envelope, plus check or money order for $6 (U.S. funds only) to: Dear Abby — Wedding Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Postage is included in the price.)

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