DEAR ABBY: My best friend of 60 years lost her husband 13 years ago. She has one son, who is successful and busy with his young family. They try to include her in various family gatherings, but she always has an excuse as to why she can’t attend — she doesn’t drive at night, doesn’t […]

DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I recently bought our first house together. It has an outdoor kitchen and other features he really likes. I like it too, but there have been some issues already in the first month or two. Lately, he’s been wanting to have BBQs and get-togethers for his family. He invites all […]

DEAR ABBY: I’ve been with my boyfriend for a year and a half. We broke up for a while, but got back together and have been doing great, and we got engaged six months ago. Last week, we had a huge fight, where all my bottled-up resentment came out. I have tried to communicate my […]

DEAR ABBY: When my son got married in 2003, we had many good times with him and his wife. Things have changed now that we have cellphones. It’s nearly impossible to have a relationship with her because when they come to our home, she’s always on her phone! My son talks to his dad, and […]

DEAR ABBY: For the third time in my life, I am being shunned by long-term friends. Over the years, I have expended a great deal of time and effort to stay in touch with them. Back when we lived in the same places, we were very close. Ultimately, I moved away but always stayed in […]

DEAR ABBY: I was with my ex-fiance for 13 years. Not long after he broke up with me, I found myself going to meet him at a hotel. We have been seeing each other regularly, once a week at least. We go out and enjoy our time together like we are dating. The frustrating thing […]

DEAR ABBY: “Looking Out for Mom in Chicago” (Aug. 16) was concerned that 69-year-old Mom wasn’t getting out and socializing now that she has moved closer to them, and worried they’ll be her only support as she ages. They also said she’s always been shy. As a nearly 70-year-old introvert, I understand how their mom […]

DEAR ABBY: Several members of my husband’s family let us down badly by not attending our daughter’s wedding. They had various work and other family obligations near the date of our event. “Save the Date” cards had been sent out six months prior, but we were apparently lower on their priority list. I expressed to […]

DEAR ABBY: My husband and I have been married less than a year, and I’m pregnant with my first child. Our baby was planned, and we were thrilled. Something changed with my husband once I hit the second trimester. If I read something about pregnancy and try to share it with him, he instantly shuts […]

DEAR ABBY: I recently ended an 18-year marriage that should have ended many years earlier. While I was deciding to leave, I met the most wonderful man, “Winston.” He treats me like a queen — the polar opposite of my former husband. My former home was sold during divorce proceedings, and I took Winston up […]