Dear Annie: I’ve been engaged for eight months. I’m so happy about the fact that I’ve finally found someone to share the rest of my life with. We are very happy together, and the fact that she has two daughters from a previous marriage makes it feel like I am part of a family again. I am a widower and was alone for six years.
I don’t know why, but when I mention that I’m getting married again, I get rude comments like, “What are you, nuts?” or just the simple “Why?” I feel so down and hurt by this. I don’t want to be rude to others, but please tell me how I can handle this in a mature manner. — Wearied Widower
Dear Wearied: Congratulations! Your excitement about your second marriage was beautiful and heartwarming to read about, and you’re right that it’s rude and highly inappropriate for anyone to question it. The next time someone does, let your pride speak for itself. A simple, “Nuts? No. I’m so lucky!” or “Because I found someone I don’t want to live a day without,” should clear things up. As upsetting as those responses are, don’t let them chip away at the love and luster you and your fiance feel for each other.
Dear Annie: I know this has come up before, but I want to put out another warning to people. I recently worked with a client who had been scammed out of more than $16,000. She had to take a home loan out on her house to pay for this.
What was the scam? Someone called and said they were from the IRS and that she owed back…
