Abigail Van Buren

Dear Abby | Friendship with woman makes waves in men’s relationship

I’m a 35-year-old gay man who has been in a serious relationship for five years.

Dear Abby | Girlfriend questions texting from boyfriend’s worried mom

I have been dating “James” for almost a year. Things have been rough for him recently. His depression has led to school attendance issues, but we got through it.

Dear Abby | Wife’s deep, dark secret is credit card debt she’s hiding

I am married to a great man, but he’s very tight with his money. We found out early in our relationship that we couldn’t have a joint account because it caused so much fighting. We share our bills, but I am broke all the time. I have credit card debt he doesn’t know about.

Dear Abby | One-way friendship ends, but feelings of guilt remain

My “friend” from childhood, “Camille,” has never had my back.

Dear Abby | Mom charges daughter-in-law rent even after the wedding

My mother-in-law owns the building my husband and I live in.

Dear Abby | Baby in the buff causes grandma some concern

My daughter “Scarlet” has a precious 18-month-old baby girl I’ll call Sierra.

Dear Abby | Wife’s attraction to woman throws life into confusion

I am a 50-year-old woman. I have been married to my husband for 28 years and never cheated.

Dear Abby | Loyal worker is out of a job following knee replacements

After 16 years of loyal and dedicated service to my employer, I find myself out of work. Months ago, I needed double knee replacements. I gave him three months’ notice about my surgery, planning to return on June 1. It was a one-girl office; I was responsible for all the administrative duties.

Dear Abby | Idea to celebrate Step Parents Day gains traction across country

In 1985 I met a lovely divorced lady with two adorable children. The three of us got along well. A year later I married into this family. Until then I had no children of my own.

Dear Abby: Mom sees danger everywhere as daughter leaves for school

I’m the proud mom of a wonderful 21-year-old daughter whom I find myself worrying about more and more lately.

Dear Abby | Policeman dismayed by mom using him to discipline child

Dear Abby: The media give us stories of racial conflict and the shooting of police officers almost daily, and every reporter and news anchor proposes solutions.

Dear Abby | Family is divided in two by predator in their midst

A number of years ago, it came out that my brother-in-law had raped and molested his two daughters and two granddaughters. It tore our family apart.

Dear Abby | Baby in day care plays favorites among the staff

I am a child care provider working with infants. Two of us work in the nursery and share responsibilities.

Dear Abby | Man’s devotion to his mom spoils wife’s travel plans

I have been married to my husband for 38 years. We both had long professional careers and saved diligently for our retirement. Our children are on their own and doing well with their careers.

Dear Abby | Wife of conspiracy theorist focuses on man’s kindness

We have been married two years now, and I’m trying hard to reconcile the fact that I’m married to a conspiracy theorist who believes the world is flat.

Dear Abby | Friends add to woman’s grief by not being there for her

I’m a retired woman living in a condo complex that houses mostly seniors. During the eight years I have lived here, I’ve always participated in several monthly social events, and have served on the condo association board. I know most of the other residents and count many of them as friends.

Dear Abby | Visits with parents bring tears to daughter’s eyes

Their cleaning practices are questionable. They simply rinse plates and utensils after use, as opposed to using the dishwasher. Within an hour of arriving, the dust makes my allergies and asthma flare up.

Dear Abby | Photo of naked stepsister is no longer a laughing matter

You should be scared. What you did was shameful and dangerous.

Dear Abby | Man loses focus on life after close friend’s death

We’d had our ups and downs over 25 years, but he moved cross-country to the same city as I’m in and was there for many happy and sad life events, including the deaths of my remaining immediate family and his parents.

Dear Abby | Cause of family’s separation is no business of co-workers

As a child, I suffered a lot of abuse from my parents until I finally, at 13, opened up to a teacher. I was removed from my house and spent the remainder of my youth in various foster homes. I never felt like I had a home or family until I was an adult and made my own.

Dear Abby | Friend’s husband, kids wear out welcome in annual visit

“Charlotte” and I have been friends for 16 years, ever since we met in college. She lives several states away, so we see each other only once a year when she and her family come to town for a long weekend. Beyond this annual get-together, we never chat on the phone, and communication is pretty much limited to social media.

Dear Abby | Hurt turns to anger as video games consume boyfriend

Dear Abby: I am tired of taking a backseat to my boyfriend’s video game addiction.

Dear Abby | Widow returns to the dating pool and finds troubled water

Dear Abby: I was widowed seven years ago. When my husband died, I thought it was the end of my suffering.

Dear Abby | Grandma is at a loss for words of advice for smitten grandson

The Teen booklet has been distributed in doctors’ offices and used to promote discussions by educators and religious leaders, as well as parents who find it hard to discuss these topics with their children.

Dear Abby | Food-loving family makes no exception for special diet

Explain that you know they would not feed certain foods to a diabetic, and you need the same dispensation.

Dear Abby | Girl’s old friends turn away when she returns to school

My daughter has graduated from high school. She had been in a residential treatment program for depression the year and a half prior to returning to this school. Her old friends had promised to be there for her when she returned.

Dear Abby | Love is the best present to give grandson with Down syndrome

We have three grandchildren and are due to make our annual visit. Two of the children are easy to plan for, and we have good relationships with them.

Dear Abby | Crush on married boss causes heartache every day for worker

I’m in a relationship with my high school sweetheart, whom I truly love, but I am also crazy about my boss. She’s beautiful, funny, and to be honest, I jumped at my promotion so I could get closer to her.

Dear Abby | Talk of remarriage triggers questions about burial plots

My brother-in-law “Charles” has earned the privilege of being buried in a military cemetery. He lost his wife, “Claire,” to cancer 10 years ago; she is buried in their plot in the military cemetery with a headstone.

Dear Abby | Wife of perfect husband cheats without remorse

Dear Abby: I have a wonderful husband of 11 years and three children.

Dear Abby | Old friend is slow to follow up on attempt to reconnect

Her response – or lack of one – will tell you if she’s really interested.

Dear Abby | Mom wants to ban alcoholic daughter from son’s reception

Our son and his fiancee are having a destination wedding. My husband and I are hosting a local reception here where we live because we would like our close family and friends to be able to celebrate their wedding.

Dear Abby | Twelve-step programs offer healing for sexual addiction

After reading the letter from “Dumbstruck in Chicago” (April 24), who’s dating a recently divorced man who was unfaithful to his ex-wife through multiple affairs and one-night stands with prostitutes, I cannot stay silent.

Late bloomer worries he is being labeled a playboy

Little girls have been known to wrap their daddies around their little fingers before they are old enough to walk. The same is true for baby boys and their mothers.

Dear Abby | Disapproving son tries to put an end to mother’s romance

I am a 64-year-old widow who lost my husband 5 1/2 years ago. I became reacquainted with a former classmate at a high school reunion, and we started dating.

Dear Abby | Long-distance love may be drifting even further apart

I am a retired male. My girlfriend is still working. We have been exclusive for three years. We live 300 miles apart but see each other every two or three weeks for at least three days and, until now, have had a very good relationship.

Dear Abby | Teens are kept in the dark about dad’s office affair

My husband of 20 years has blindsided me by announcing he’s leaving. Come to find out he’s “in love” with a co-worker and thinks they are soul mates.

Dear Abby | Love of fast food slows man’s effort to lose weight

My husband has become very overweight, which has caused his sex drive – as well as his health – to suffer. I worry about him constantly, and I miss the intimacy we used to have. He is aware of how I feel and started trying to eat healthier. He also tries to exercise at least a little bit every day.

Dear Abby | Freshman’s plans for college include breast enhancement

She’s off to college in a few months, and “in order to ensure she’s attractive to boys,” wants to get a boob job. She works in a clothing store and has saved toward the cost.

Dear Abby | Divorced dad vows to boycott any events that include his ex

Dear Abby: My parents went through a bitter divorce five years ago and have had little to no contact since then.

Dear Abby | Wife endures verbal abuse along with loveless marriage

Because you know he’s cheating, hire a private detective for a month and find out who with. Then talk to a lawyer about what your rights are as a wronged wife in New York.

Dear Abby | Medical privacy rules stymie ‘dad’ to girlfriend’s children

A guarantor is different from a legal guardian or parent. Have their mother call the doctors and request the information so she can share it with you.

Dear Abby | Open road calls to husband, but wife is happy at home

My wife and I have been married for 42 years. For the most part, we have had a good marriage. We raised two children, are helping to raise three grandchildren and still enjoy each other’s company.

Dear Abby | Woman is put in the middle of an affair among friends

Jane is having an affair with Mary’s husband and has confided in me about every detail. She keeps telling me it’s over, and then I find out it isn’t. I spoke to Mary’s husband and told him if it doesn’t stop, I’ll tell Mary.

Dear Abby | Girlfriend sees trouble ahead with man’s plans for mother

I am a woman, 34, who has finally met the man I want to spend my life with. He’s 31, and his family lives about six hours away. He plans to move his mother here to live in the near future. She doesn’t work or drive.

Dear Abby | Man learns he’s not first to propose marriage to girl

I met the love of my life eight months ago. Everything about our relationship is perfect. We both love our families, fine food, games and, most importantly, each other. We met at an antique store and now have an extensive stamp collection together.

Dear Abby | Lifelong bachelor’s interest in teen girl triggers alarm

Dear Abby: I have a 59-year-old brother-in-law who has always been a “proud bachelor.” He isn’t a rich, handsome, George Clooney-type bachelor, but a hand-to-mouth, burping, uncouth “Shallow Hal” kind of bachelor. He befriended a woman with four daughters, paying most of his attention to one of the daughters.

Stories by Abigail