I'm 52, male, in a platonic relationship with a woman, 43. I work full-time, but have always had learning and memory challenges. I'm very slow to process information, and have difficulty retaining it.

She's sharp and smart, academically and socially. She's good-looking, and extremely well read. She easily charms new people. Often I'm lost in these conversations. She explains patiently when I express my lack of knowledge.

I've had three past relationships, one spanning ten years (mutually broken engagement). She has a very accomplished daughter, 19, who's distant with me.

The father lives in another city, but remains very close with his daughter. My friend's friendly with him but has never taken financial support.

Thanks to my parents, I'm financially better off. She's commented on my residence's luxury. She physically renovates her older home, supports elderly parents, and her daughter's expensive music lessons, from rental income.

I like to dine out often, and since I initiate, I pay. However, she expresses dismay at what I spend, and occasionally, will pay for us both. She's very independent, and only accepts gifts or rides (she has no car) reluctantly, when I insist.

She's frugal and resourceful and alerts me to cheaper lifestyle alternatives.

Recently, she's expressed frustration with my "naïveté," saying maintaining an older property doesn't get done on its own. When I tell her to hire help, she just looks at me and sighs.

Our relationship is of mutual companionship, although I want much more. I don't feel she needs me like I need her. Is money the only thing I can offer? I'm not some loser, I don't lack for friends.

Fretful

She's caring, understanding, and companionable - but has shown no signs of wanting more than friendship. She's not interested in your money only, though she does accept some benefits. But she's asked for no "loans" or gifts, and handles her own needs.

She does NOT see you as a loser. Or she wouldn't spend so much time with you, or want to be with you when "charming" others.

If wanting more is too frustrating, decide whether you prefer to give up the friendship. Or perhaps you can ask her to help you meet other women. That'll put the issue on the table.

My boyfriend of two years is 37, divorced for five years. He's worried about getting hurt again. I'm 30, and want to move on with my life, hopefully with him. I have endless talks about getting married, going ring shopping, moving in together. All are shot down. He says he loves me and wants to be with only me, to be patient, and have faith in our relationship.

My condo lease is up this July; he owns his condo.  There's been talk about looking for a house soon.

He's said that upon moving in with me he wants to get a co-habitation agreement. I said I'd only move together if we were engaged.

Is he just stringing me along and doing what's good for him? Should I move on to dating other guys? I do truly love him.

Torn

When you "truly love" someone, dating others is the last resort. He IS talking about moving together - soon. A co-habitation agreement doesn't mean no marriage, it's a protective agreement for both of you (and your finances too) if you break up.

It's nullified by marriage. He may then ask for a pre-nuptial agreement. They're common when finances are initially very different and someone's been divorced. You can commit to re-discuss in a few years.

My husband of 25 years and I are planning our retirement. We raised five children. He has five brothers living three hours away. Not one ever visited us; we did all the travel there. Now he wants to retire to their small city. His sisters-in-law have always been nasty to me, with one particularly cruel. He's never confronted his family.

I'm now panic-stricken about moving close to them. I can only see disaster for our marriage. I've never once been included in a family picture! My husband avoided confrontation; he's once taken a sister-in-law's side against me. She even set him up with a friend... who wound up naked in his bed during a visit!

Is my husband a wimp... or am I an idiot for enduring this?

Panicking

Do NOT move where you have no friendships, caring family, and other supports. He can email, Skype, and periodically visit his brothers without you.