Dear Abby: I'm 29 years old and my boyfriend is 36 years old. We met on a dating site and stayed together for three years. He broke up with me two months ago because he didn't think he could marry me. (We weren't engaged.) He is the love of his life, a soulmate, his dreams come true, and I feel the same way, but he has a commitment issue.
When I met him I was divorced and in the process of ending an abusive marriage. He was the best boyfriend and for us, our relationship was perfect. However, the issue of his commitment made me question that he was supposed to be with.
I truly believe that God has placed him in my life. Something said he was one of them. How can we see him that it is intended to not give up on the best relationship we have ever had? – Georgia's true soulmate
Dear Soulmate: I love your sales pitch, but the person who has to buy it is him and he is not in the market for permanent attachment. Trust me, I sympathize, both Partners must believe that the other person is “one,” and the urge to commit definitely appears to be one-sided.
Don't forget you met this guy when you were out of an abusive relationship. He was kind. You attacked. It will be interesting to know if you received some kind of counseling after that previous relationship, as you may need it now to prevent you from repeating unhealthy patterns.
Dear Abby: I was lucky enough to learn a rare hobby from my grandmother. I am the only grandson who has continued my hobby, so I inherited her tools. I mainly stay in touch with my extended family (aunts, uncles, cousins) through social media. That's why I post work from time to time. I want to continue sharing because they express their happiness that someone continues their hobby.
My problem is that some friends are constantly plaguing me to sell my items. I work full time and volunteer with a large family at my children's school, so I have little time to focus on my hobbies.
It takes hours for each item to be completed, but I don't want to sell them. Additionally, items will be costly if they are priced properly for the time it takes to produce.
I have repeatedly told these friends that I do this as a pure hobby, but they continue to bombard my posts with requests that I sell to them. I don't want to “friend” these people. They are my friends and are otherwise great. How can I convey my message to them? – Pennsylvania crafty
Dear Crafty: Your friends are praised for wanting to buy your pieces, but after you spend the time creating them, they become like your “children.” You can't sell them more than one of your kids and point out that they aren't And it's never going to happen For sale. Say with a smile or with a smile emoji. But don't be forgiven. Restrictions to sharing these images (i.e., relatives only) if requests continue to come.
Dear Abby was written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Please contact dear Abby http://www.dearabby.com or PO Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
