Dear Amy: Recently my boyfriend moved to a town a couple of hours away to attend college, while I’m left in our hometown to complete my senior year of high school. We’re planning on trying out a long-distance relationship for now.
I was supposed to see him the day he left, but he called a half-hour beforehand and said he had just been too busy all day. He asked if he could instead try to come back the following weekend to see me. However, since then, he hasn’t been in touch.
I’ve been trying to just let things be, not wanting to come off as a “clingy” girlfriend. I understand he needs his space, especially since he is just starting college. However, I’m hurt that he’s suddenly cutting off contact with me. I called him once, and we had a brief conversation before he abruptly cut it off.
How should I deal with this? Should I wait for him to call or text first? Should I tell him how I feel? — Hurt Girlfriend
Dear Hurt: The first thing you should do is to recognize that your long-distance relationship isn’t working out, so far. You can’t have the same relationship you had before because a very important component has changed.
The best response is not to wait around but to live your own life to the fullest.
If you haven’t heard from your boyfriend after several more days, you should let him know that you have been hurt by his inattention but that you are doing your best to carry on.
Dear Amy: Over the years I’ve read multiple stories about hurt feelings or battles over inheritances. My mother was one of 10 children (three boys and seven girls). My grandfather was always taking people in and out of his will.
My mother and my aunts and uncles are all wonderful, responsible hardworking people. By the time my grandfather died, five of his children were in the will and five were not. The five children left in the will received their inheritance checks and in turn wrote a check for half of the amount to a sibling not left in the will.
In the case of “Sad Daughter,” you were right in saying she could share her own inheritance with her children? — Grateful
Dear Grateful: My aunt also shared an inheritance. It is a generous and thoughtful gesture.
Dear Amy: I’m a 5-foot-9-inch woman, and it really amazes me to hear how many people have a thing about height: The guy always “has” to be taller.
Here’s something for all you tall ladies to ponder over: The average American guy is 5 feet 8 inches tall. Why would you turn down a decent man, a good man or a hardworking man for something as shallow and silly as, “He’s too short”?
My husband is 5 feet 5 inches tall, and I couldn’t love him more. It takes a confident, self-secure man to proudly hold a taller woman on his arm. He might be short, but he has a huge heart? — BJW
Dear BJW: Legendary chef Julia Child was 6 feet 2 inches. Her devoted husband, Paul, was a more average height: 5 feet 9 inches. I’ve heard from many such couples who report that they’re perfectly happy.
Send questions via e-mail to askamy@tribune.com or write to Ask Amy, Chicago Tribune, TT500, 435 N. Michigan Ave., Chicago, IL 60611.
