My partner ended our two-year relationship recently, saying he truly loved me and wanted to be friends.

He’d sometimes say he wanted “to explore,” or sometimes, that he wanted “to be alone.” He also said he wasn't sexually attracted to me anymore - all with conflicting messages/actions before and after.

He constantly referenced our being “close” even if we’re not in a relationship. He’d say this at the strangest, most inopportune times throughout the relationship.

I’m wondering if he ended a wonderful relationship (no serious issues and we genuinely got along) simply because the idea of being committed to someone was too much for him.

Heartbroken

Your hearing is selective – you absorb what he says that you like, and question what you don’t like.

He’s much clearer than you accept. It’s over. He’s trying to let you down gently but it’s not working, because you’re clinging to every positive word like “close.”

And you’re blocking all comprehension when he says, openly, he’s not sexually attracted.

Cut all ties. Tell him you want him to go “explore,” be alone, etc. Say you’ll be dating again, so can’t be close with an ex until you’re way past this now-non-existent relationship. Mean it.

I’m back at school after ten years in the workforce. Upgrading myself, and learning is very exciting. But it makes me question why my fiancé of six years refuses to set a wedding date. He always has another excuse – money, time, his kids, whatever.

I’m now determined to progress as an individual. So should I finish things with him because he’ll never move forward with me?

Stalemate

Give the relationship six months more, as you adjust to changes in yourself, as well as your schedule and lifestyle. He also needs a chance to see those changes, consider the future, and respond. If nothing different happens, you’ll probably end it… or he will.

My son and his wife are expecting multiple births. They’ve told the immediate family but are waiting until she’s over the first trimester to make a universal announcement.

I'm so excited and thrilled for them, as they struggled to conceive and were under the care of a fertility specialist for quite some time.

They both gave me their blessing to tell my two closest friends, and I’ve told a couple of strangers who don't even know the couple or me (a lady in the grocery store with twins, a new hairdresser, friends in another country who don't know my son).

I’ve experienced the automatic question "was she taking fertility drugs or was it in vitro?" Is there a polite but direct way to answer these uncomfortable, intrusive questions? I’d like to say, "Why do you want to know?” Or, “As far as I know he put his in hers and the result was several babies but I don't ask any questions because, I'm his mother."
I'm so very happy but want a way to respond to what I know will be a continuing inquiry when I share our family's good news.

Mega-Grandma

Hold back your surprise at the questions…. you’re the one opening the door to inquiries. You should’ve stopped at your two best friends.

As naturally excited as you are, this is not about you, and it’s their news to tell. Also, there are long months to go before you can, hopefully, say there’s been a safe, healthy result for Mom and all the babies.

Meanwhile, ask the couple exactly how they’d like you to answer such questions later on.

My late mother’s will left her daughter(s) equal shares of her savings.

One daughter, with early-onset Alzheimer’s, has been in a facility for a year. She worked in a family business without salary or pension.

Her husband used power-of-attorney to "capture" this money. He’s acknowledged considering divorce for tax advantages to walk off with the inheritance meant for the daughter’s well being.

Is there any recourse?

Disgusted

You need to be certain that he doesn’t buy comfort and care for his wife with some of the money. Talk to a lawyer.

My fiancé and I, both 27, earn the same incomes. I’m raising a child without support, so extra money’s uncommon.

Recently, I purchased parts and my mechanic boyfriend repaired my car, twice.

I’ve thanked him repeatedly, treated him to a movie, and a $20 coffee card. Is the gift card excessive?

Unsure

He deserved whatever little you could afford, plus gratitude. No more, no less.