Forgiveness comes before a second chance

Q My relationship with my boyfriend of seven months was perfect, until he decided to cheat on me.

He had sex with this girl after his best friend was done fooling around with her. The next day he confessed to having sex with her because he was tempted and intoxicated.

I know that’s no excuse. For two months since, he’s been spoiling me with flowers and my favourite things, and even homemaking gifts of our memories together.

I’m unsure if this just shows that he’s feeling guilty or actually wanting me back. I still love the guy and he isn’t giving up, but I don’t know what to do.

I respect him for telling me, but he betrayed our relationship and most of all our friendship.

Are forgiveness and a second chance an option? Confused and Pursued

A Take a closer read of what you wrote — “he decided to cheat,” tempted and intoxicated “is no excuse.”

You may still love him, but you certainly recognize that he’s flawed, which means he’s capable of doing this again. A second chance is almost always an option in relationships but won’t work without real forgiveness. You’re not there yet.

His gifts aren’t enough to convince you. Instead, discuss openly what “tempted and intoxicated” mean to him.

Discuss how much he drinks, how often, and how it affects him, to decide whether it will keep affecting your relationship.

Ask why he was tempted … because there’ll always be other

attractive, sexy, available women out there. Is that an issue in his character, or do you truly believe he won’t risk this again?

Also, get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. The second chance is up to you. Q I’m a young, female professional. I met my boyfriend when he was living with his then-girlfriend, and I was dating someone, but lived with a roommate.

Once we were both single, we began a relationship which became serious six months later. We had a great time together and with friends, talking, laughing and telling stories.

Four months along, I received an eviction notice from my apartment. The owners had sold. Five days after that, my father died unexpectedly.

The next few months were a blur. My boyfriend, my roommate and I all rented a new place together.

It’s been three months and we’ve been fighting constantly. Some major issues emerged (if

known before, I wouldn’t have moved in with him), but I’ve tried to get past them because we’re committed in this living situation. There’s constant bickering about little things. He’s a wonderful person but I’m wondering if, during my grief, we accelerated the relationship.

I often feel trapped. I’m still sad and household conflicts are tiring. I care about him a lot but I’m longing for peace and just to be happy again. Tired of Conflicts

A You haven’t had time for peace or grieving.

A rental lease is a commitment of money and time. But it’s not enough to bind people in love and life. The bickering is an alert to both you and your boyfriend.

You need to acknowledge to each other that this move was too hasty, with wrong timing for you.

Start grief counselling as soon as possible (found through your faith community, a social agency, a therapist).

Allow each other respectful distance.