Mom advised against reuniting family

I recently got into a huge fight with my boyfriend, which caused us to break up and me to move two hours away to stay with my mom. We have a beautiful 6-month-old daughter, and I still love him very much. He has begged me to move back and has shown me he still has feelings for me.

Because of past abuse from family and previous partners, I find it very hard to trust. I would love to go back, but I keep being told that it would be a mistake. Must I give in and stay away or follow my heart and go back? — Mixed Up in Missouri

Why are “people” advising you not to go back with him? Are their reasons valid? If they aren’t, perhaps you should worry less about pleasing them and more about accepting responsibility for your own choices.

Should you follow your heart? Yes, if it leads you and this man to a couples counselor for help in resolving your problems before they get out of hand again, and

DEAR ABBY deciding what would be in the best interest of your child.

My husband and I have a problem: his ex-girlfriend. She used to be my best friend, but we fell out years ago.

She hadn’t contacted him in a long time, but since she found out we got married, she has been texting him begging to meet. She messaged me once asking for all of us to get together, but she messages him to meet her alone and “talk.” He ignores her and shows me the messages.

Should I step in and tell her to back off or ignore her as he is doing? — Troubled in Tennessee

Because silence hasn’t successfully conveyed the message that you and your husband aren’t interested in renewing the relationship, should be the one to tell her.

Last year was tough for me and my family. In addition to the COVID mess, I lost my best friend of 30 years, and one of my sisters-in-law lost her best friend of 50 years.

We were talking about each of our losses recently, and she mentioned that she has no pictures of her and her friend together. I said the same about my friend. Right then I decided that no matter how bad my hair, makeup, etc., looked, I wouldn’t shy away from having my photo taken. Sometimes we don’t realize how much a candid snapshot can mean until it is too late. — Moment in Time in Texas

I have been guilty of photo-dodging, and after reading your letter, I am resolving to do better in the future. 1Getamoveon 4 Glens 9 Adventure

tales 14 Coffee server 15 Film

projection 16 Benefit 17 Terrier or

poodle 18 Italian

seaport 19 And so 20 Molecular

biology topic 21 Devotee 22 Freeloaded 24 Within the

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26 Novel closer

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Ferber 34 Motel furnishings (2 wds.) 37 “— be an

honor” 38 Stanzas 41 Eager (hyph.) 43 Boot liner 44 And like that

(2 wds.) 48 Iffy attempt 50 Messed up 51 Fleece 55 Trouble

brewing 57 Animal life 58 Butte’s state 61 Greer or

Holbrook 63 PFC boss 64 Firststringers (hyph.) 65 Shorthand

pro 67 Tricycle rider 68 Peach pit 69 Holds down

a job 70 Bauxite or

galena 71 Tinted

72 Rx directives 73 — de mer 12 Warmhearted 45 Folded 46 Uh’s cousins 13 Husky’s 47 Puts on a

burden leash 23 Vowed 49 Lighter fluid 25 Emmets 52 Tradition 27 Place for a 53 Long, silky

pint wool 29 Rainwater 54 Big toy 1 Quarterback’s catcher maker

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