I'm 29, my former girlfriend (five years) is 23 - I love her and was intending to propose soon.
However, while I enjoy going out for a few drinks on the occasional weekend, she'd rather stay home on the couch.
The major problem occurred when I went out and she'd worry about me.
Recently, I cancelled plans with her to attend a concert with friends. She was furious. She ended our relationship the next day and has not reconsidered.
I've tried apologizing in person, with flowers, phone calls, e-mails, all to no avail.
After our break-up she confessed that she's re-devoting herself to her religion. She's going to give up sex, alcohol, etc. and try to lead a Christian lifestyle.
Ellie, I'm prepared to do whatever it takes to make the relationship work but she doesn't believe me. I now understand that I was sacrificing her feelings and jeopardizing our relationship by going out with my friends while knowing it upset her.
She says she needs time to herself and to leave her alone.
How do I get her to believe that I'm willing to change my lifestyle too?

- Reaching Out

Committing to a religious lifestyle is a worthy choice, so long as it's a truly personal one. If it's done to impress another or secure someone's love, it's far less likely to last.
Follow your girlfriend's wise example and take some time apart while you consider the depth and sincerity of your intentions. Drinking less, being more aware of her feelings and responding to them, are all promises you may keep.
But when it comes to matching her standards for an observant Christian lifestyle, she'll need proof that you've managed to do this on your own, before she can accept that you've made a permanent change.

After having several drinks, my best friend's husband of 17 years pulled me aside and said he's planning to leave her. He claimed he's had enough of her over-spending and letting bills lapse.
She's talking about a family vacation, and it's the last straw for him.
I suggested he tell her calmly and honestly how he feels or get professional help - counselling - but he says he's done.
I'm now in an uncomfortable position with this information and don't know if I should tip her off, or whether he told me so I can break the ice.

- In the Know

Your friend's loose-lipped husband may've been venting about how he'd like to threaten his wife with a separation; he may even - as you suspect - have hoped that you'll carry the message for him… or this was just him mouthing off. Do NOT pass it on.
You can bet this couple regularly has some discussions about her spending habits. It's up to them to work it out or take it to a next step without you being in the middle.
When this man finds out the cost of child support, and sharing some of their matrimonial assets, he may even consider counselling as the cheaper and better option.

I've been in an eight-month relationship with a guy and trying to determine what kind of future we have.
He's now living with and caring for his long-divorced mother in a house they jointly own.
She's 65, active, works two part-time jobs, shops and cooks.
She'll occasionally leave the stove or another appliance on.
She doesn't believe in cleaning with chemicals and cleans everything with baking soda and/or vinegar.
She also believes that having the furnace on will cause her to lose her hearing.
I don't know if I want to spend the next 25 years caring for her, raising kids with him and having her interfere daily. I don't want her to brainwash them with her thoughts.
My boyfriend feels it's "his duty" to care for his parents, and that he'll eventually have to hire a live-in nurse to look after her in their house.
Am I being selfish for wanting a life with him but not necessarily with his mother?

- Worried Ahead

You're not selfish, but you ARE unrealistic if you think he'll assure you that the future will be between you two alone.
Mama is in the house to stay, until caring for her there becomes impossible. If you find her ways of doing things and her attitudes intolerable now, it's a set-up for major friction and frustration for you to plan to move in with them.