Dear Eric: I am newly in love and engaged. My fiancé and I are both in our early 70s. Quite a few of my friends (not my close friends but others) have responded to the news with: how cute! Somehow the fact that we have fallen in love and plan to marry is “cute.”
Dear Readers: On Sept. 23, I published two letters from older adults struggling to find a connection (“Still Grieving” and “Wants a Connection”). I asked those of you who have successfully found friendship and romantic partnership at a later stage in life to write in.
Dear Eric: Before her wedding, she told me that it was going to be a small ceremony with only about 30 friends and family. It would be at a restaurant. They planned on paying for everyone and 30 was their limit. I was shocked and hurt when she told me there was no room for me. I always thought we were close.
Not to be too blunt but I’m confused about what you’re getting out of this relationship, writes R. Eric Thomas.
Dear WhatsApprehension: We need a global conference on chat etiquette. The memes are out of control.
Dear Eric: What would you recommend to help me with the little bit of bitterness I feel over people complaining about the most minor, often ridiculous non-issues, people who are squandering their precious days with anger or resentment over things that are not big deals while there are people hoping for just another year.
Dear Eric: She wasn’t always like this. Her husband and I are the main recipients of this behavior – I’ve seen her make fun of her husband in front of other people, but he just shrugs it off. I don’t see her doing this to her other friends and family members.
Dear Eric: But because she really is a sweet kid, I offered to help get the sneakers. Unfortunately, she wanted outrageously overpriced sneakers I wouldn’t buy for my own granddaughter.
Dear Eric: They do not have children, pets or any property together. It should have been a clean break; however, she still contacts him.
Dear Eric: During the process of our moving from a large house to an apartment in a retirement community, my daughter-in-law asked my son to leave their house. I had already arranged to give them many things, including my late daughter’s artwork, two antique Chinese wedding chests and a Turkish rug. I paid to have these things, as well as a dining set, two sofas, and beds, moved to their house, thinking that they would get back together.