Friend lends her wedding dress
Dear Abby: My co-worker and supposed friendaskedifshecouldborrowmywedding dress because she thought it was so beautiful. Iwas thrilled to lend it toherandpaid for the alterations ($200 plus) as her wedding present. I accompanied her to her fittings and helped her plan her wedding for approximately100 friends and family.
The kicker: My husband and I were not invited to the wedding, and when she returned my gown, it had lipstick on it and cakedownthe front. Itwasn’t evenina bag -she justhandedit tome. Whatshould I think about this?— Flabbergasted In Florida
Dear Flabbergasted: You should conclude that your co-worker and “friend” is someone withno class whatsoever. Have the dress cleaned and packaged so it can be properly stored if you intend to keep it, and giveHERthe bill. Then distance yourself far enough from this person that if she asks for anymore favors, you can comfortably say no.
Dear Abby: I have been in a relationship with my girlfriend, who lives in her native Germany, for almost two years. We met online thanks to a mutual online friend of mine and school friend of hers.
My girlfriend struggles with her body image, and I’m not sure how to help other than call her beautiful often. She’s thin and looks fine by “American standards,” as she puts it, but for a German she is larger than most, which is why she thinks she’s fat and ugly, despite the fact that she’s slim and pretty. Whatwould you suggest I do in order to help her improve her body image? — Supportive InNewHampshire
Dear Supportive: Other than continuing to reassure her that in your eyes she’s beautiful, there isn’t much you can do long-distance. However, there is plentySHE cando. Sheshoulddiscussherfixationwitha doctor who can explain what a healthy weight should be for someone her height and build. If her problem is all in her head, it’s possible she needs counseling for body dysmorphia, a disorder in which people of normalweight are convinced they are heavy. It’s not uncommon.
Dear Abby: I am going through a rough divorce. I’ll spare you the details, but suffice it to say, I had to get an order of protection againstmy soon-to-be ex.
Ioriginallyintendedtokeepmyhusband’s last name because we have a child together andIwantmylastnametobethesameasmy child’s. The thing is, Abby, I’m so disgusted withhisbehavior thatthethoughtofkeeping his last name makesme sick tomy stomach. What should I do?— Single Soon In Ohio
Dear Single Soon: Many parents have different names than their children. If keeping your almost-ex-husband’s last name makesyousick toyourstomachnow, inafew years you may have a major case of indigestion. Change your name when the divorce is final because the longer you wait to do it, the more complicated it may become.