I’m 26; my boyfriend of one year and I still live with our own families so we don’t get to be as intimate as we’d like.
He invited me to his sister’s apartment because she was away for the weekend, and we had sex on her bed. Unfortunately, when she came back, she noticed a stain on her bed.
She was furious with us, knowing he has a key to her apartment. I feel so bad. We were definitely in the wrong, especially with going there without permission and not cleaning the sheets.
What can I do to apologize to his sister?

- Totally Embarrassed

Buy her a new set of sheets, and apologize profusely.
Your need for intimacy was your business to handle - you could’ve rented a hotel room. Or showed some maturity by being upfront and asking to stay there.
Most disgusting and thoughtless, was that you both left your mess behind.
Even if she remains annoyed, you and your bumbling boyfriend owe Sis some new linens.

My wife is beautiful, successful, popular, yet often exaggerates. Whenever she tells a story socially, she stretches the facts, though she’s aware I know the truth.
Is this a sickness?

- Worried

It may be a deep-dwelling insecurity that causes her to try to impress others. If the exaggerations don’t matter, leave it.
But if you feel she’s inwardly lacking self-esteem, you could suggest counseling, for her own comfort.

I’m 31, have a supportive family, a great job, and am financially comfortable.
I separated from my husband of 12 years four months ago, we have a daughter aged 5. I ran into a married man who’s been a friend over the years, a few months ago. We’ve reconnected, though he’s not the reason why I’m separated. My marriage had many problems for several years.
Although this friend and I haven’t been intimate, I’m sure that I’m in love with him and he says he loves me. His marriage has been going downhill for five years; they have one adult daughter and one teenager together.
He says he’s going to leave his wife, but I’m not the reason why, he’s been very lonely and depressed because of his home situation.
I don’t want him to leave his wife for me and I don’t want to be a “home- wrecker” – the guilt is too much to bear. Even talking to him makes me feel guilty, and I ask God for forgiveness for my feeling this way towards a married man.

- Need Advice

Break off the friendship, stop talking to each other of “love,” and there’ll be no more guilt.
If he’s really at the point of leaving his wife, let him do so, on his own, without you waiting like a reward for when the deed is done.
You’re both so busy convincing yourselves that this connection is innocent… but he re-appeared almost at the same time when you separated, like a catalyst to get you moving. And now you’re serving the same role.
However, to be certain of the possibility of a clean start some time in the future – and to be certain that you’re not going to be just a fling for someone who ultimately WON’T leave his wife – you need time apart.
Move on with your own life as a single mom, and give him the time and space to make his own moves, one way or another. You’ll forgive yourself, by being free of guilt.

I’m 38, he’s 50, and married for 29 years (she left) prior to our dating.
After six months living together, he still has his wedding picture displayed in the family room. I’ve repeatedly asked him to store it. He says I shouldn’t expect him to give up his past. I believe it shouldn’t be in my face.
I’ve explained that it hurts my feelings and makes me think he’s still holding on. I can’t understand why he won’t do something about it.

- IT’S KILLING ME

That picture says a thousand words, all adding up to this: You moved in together too soon.
He was ready for a sexual roommate only… not a committed relationship.
If you want to test my theory, buy him a nice chest for keepsakes, including the wedding photo, and suggest he keep it out of sight, but handy when he wants to reminisce. If he refuses, pack your own bags.