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Dear Annie: My oldest son is married, and while I have always tried to maintain a good relationship with my daughter-in-law, it's clear that she doesn't like me. Despite this, I love my two grandchildren more than words can express and cherish every moment I get to spend with them.

However, I often feel excluded from their lives, especially ...Read more

Dear Annie: First, I just want to say how much I appreciate your columns! I always enjoy your insights.

Recently, my newspaper ran the column with a letter from "Feeling Undervalued," the woman who was frustrated that her husband didn't buy her small gifts for occasions like Valentine's Day. I thought your advice was great, but I wanted to ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm a divorced woman in my late 40s with a child in college, and for the past 2 1/2 years, I've been in a wonderful, loving relationship with a man I'll call "Matt." He and his sister, "Martha," are extremely close -- so close they call themselves "Irish twins." Since she lives far away, I've only met her a couple of times, but let...Read more

Dear Annie: My family lives in a close-knit neighborhood. I'm good friends with two women in particular, "Leslie" and "Tara." Leslie's daughter "Ashley" and my son "Ben," both in sixth grade, have been best friends since first grade. They love to play outside together on nice days. Our friend Tara's son, "Lyle," is in kindergarten and also ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband and I have been married for over 20 years. Recently, he has become increasingly controlling, checking all my movements and whereabouts, even while we are both at home. He checks if I am asleep by pretending to be putting something on the bedside table when he could just ask if I am asleep, for instance.

This has caused ...Read more

Dear Annie: My girlfriend and I have been together for four years, and most of that time has been great. The last year and half, however, has become quite complicated and strained due to her 14-year-old daughter. I'll call her "Rose."

When her mother and I got together, Rose was 10, and up until about a year or so ago, she was a great kid. ...Read more

Dear Annie: Lately, I've been struggling with my husband's temper, and I don't know what to do. When things don't go his way -- whether it's something small like dinner plans or something bigger like finances -- he lashes out. He calls me names, belittles me and makes me feel like I'm always in the wrong. I try to keep the peace, but it feels ...Read more

Dear Annie: Money can be one of the biggest sources of stress in a marriage, and it sounds like some people who write in to you feel more like accountants than equal partners. That's a red flag. A healthy financial arrangement should feel fair, transparent and respectful -- not like you're under a microscope while your husband has free rein.

...Read more

Dear Readers: In light of St. Patrick's Day, I want to share this story from "Same Boat," who wrote a response recently to share the story of how he reconnected with his fiancee from 28 years ago. With all the twists and turns of life, his story is about as lucky as they get. May your holidays be equally serendipitous!

Dear Annie: Thank you for...Read more

Dear Annie: For the past several years, I have donated two medical scholarships to the local high school in memory of my mother-in-law. While I have received a couple of thank-you notes from students over the years, most of the time, I hear nothing -- not even a simple acknowledgment from the school.

Because of this lack of appreciation, I am...Read more

Dear Readers: Many of you wrote to me in response to "Independent and Irritated." This 65-year-old single woman was struggling with how to reply to people who questioned why she never married despite her older age. So many readers wrote in to share their own similar experiences and suggest some wonderful replies to an invasive and awkward ...Read more

Dear Annie: My husband, "Jake," and I have been married for eight years. We have a 5-year-old son, "Caleb." For the most part, we have a solid marriage, but there's one issue that keeps coming up -- his mother, "Linda."

Linda has always been a little overbearing, but ever since Caleb was born, it's gotten worse. She stops by unannounced at ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been married to my husband, "David," for 12 years. We have two kids, "Ella" (9) and "Lucas" (6). Lately, I've been feeling like I'm doing everything alone. David works long hours as an accountant, and I understand that his job is demanding, but when he gets home, he zones out on his phone or watches TV while I handle dinner, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I'm reaching out with a heavy heart and a mind full of memories. My oldest son, who once called me frequently and with whom I shared countless stories over long phone calls, now seems a stranger. He's married, has two wonderful children and lives out of state. Recently, family drama -- something entirely unrelated to me -- has cast...Read more

Dear Annie: Three years ago, my older brother received a $60,000 settlement, and I believe it changed his perspective on family and our relationship. One day, he offered to loan me $5,000 to either repair my car or put a deposit on a new one. He told me to wait two days, and then he would call me to meet him at the bank.

Up until that point, ...Read more

Dear Annie: It saddens me to see so many people who don't enjoy their jobs. I was fortunate; I spent 42 years as a teacher, and while my first year in a middle school was the toughest, the rest of my career was incredibly fulfilling. I truly loved what I did.

Beyond the classroom, I also coached two or three sports for most of my career, only...Read more

Dear Annie: I've been with my girlfriend for 15 years. The first few years were wonderful -- no complaints. We worked together and spent a lot of time together, and everything felt great.

Then, out of nowhere, she started falling asleep -- bam! -- nodding off in social situations, especially when we were out with my parents or their friends. ...Read more

Dear Annie: I moved into my bungalow six months ago. My new neighbor, we'll call him "Jeremy," who I share a very thin party wall with, seemed friendly at first -- in fact, overly so. He called first thing every morning -- up to eight times a day -- mainly to see if I was going out that day so he could pester me to bring things back for him, ...Read more

Dear Annie: I have noticed things missing in my house. After visiting my daughter's house, I have noticed some of these things at her house. For example, a bracelet that I had been looking for, for months, as well as a coffee mug and a small decorative vase.

How should I go about this? Her boyfriend, who I never trusted, lives with her. I ...Read more

Dear Annie: I've known my friend "Ella" for over 50 years. In the last few years, for whatever reason, she only wants to communicate with me via texting. She has no medical or mental issues. I just saw her at her sister's funeral.

I've told her that I don't wish to communicate through texting only. I keep asking her why we just can't talk on ...Read more