Should I tell my husband I cheated?

Q I’m a 22-year-old mother who’s engaged to a future U.S. Marine. We plan to marry when he returns from basic training.

But I keep remembering this past New Year’s Eve.

I cheated on my fiancé with a friend of mine whom I’ve had a crush on since I was 14.

I know I seem horrible since I’m the one who made all the moves. But after all the liquor wore off, guilt took its place.

Now I have to make myself forget.

Or my anxiety and guilt take over and I can’t stand being in the same room with my fiancé, without wanting to confess and beg for forgiveness.

I love him with all my heart and he doesn’t deserve this pain, since this is the greatest relationship I’ve ever had.

I already block the other guy every way possible, but now I’m left with the decision to tell my fiancé and break his heart.

Or, should I just remain quiet and wait it out before I tell him? I do plan on telling him but I just don’t know when’s the best time. Guilty Girl

A There aren’t any delays or excuses that’ll make this easier? only, hopefully, the truth can.

You also can’t just stay silent, because this will come back to bite you. Somehow, somewhere, your cheating will come to light.

Even if he detects it by your own uncomfortable behaviour when you’re around him, which will upset and distance him.

Tell him in person, not online or on the phone. Say what happened — your loneliness while he’s been away, especially on New Year’s Eve, excess alcohol, a familiar friend.

Don’t mention the old crush or he’ll think you still have feelings. If you do, end the engagement.

Which leads to the deeper issue here. You’re a young mother in a relationship that involves longdistance and being alone a lot.

And you already know that you can lose your self-control.

Are you ready for this marriage? Or are you just looking for a safe haven?

Here’s what I advise: When you’ve told your fiancé the story, suggest that for both your sakes, you take a six-month break.

Say that it’s to prove to him that you’ll never cheat again, or lose your sense of commitment to a future with him by getting drunk.

You need this, for your own inner strength and character.