This time last year, I was happily preparing for a holiday season with all of my extended family. We had a great Thanksgiving and the best Christmas ever. I have two brothers and four sisters and we were all able to be together last Christmas. All twenty of the grandchildren were there as well. It [...]

Dear Miss A,
I have been dating my boyfriend for over a year and we have been discussing marriage and have looked at rings and done premarital counseling through our respective churches. My boyfriend is currently out of work due to a layoff; otherwise we would be engaged. I love my boyfriend with my entire being. [...]

Dear Miss A,
What do you think is the ideal time to have kids? I was married last spring to a wonderful man. I have been feeling a little insecure because it seems that many of the women who were married around the same time as me are already having children– they’re ready for the next [...]

 
Dear Miss A,
My mother married my step-father when I was eight. He is a wonderful man who has influenced my love of politics, my sense of humor, and my sense of family. I know it is possible to be loved by people who aren’t really obligated, because I am sure that he loves me. The [...]

Dear Miss A,
I just came back from another miserable holiday with my in-laws to be. My fiance has a large, loud family and every time we visit I can’t wait to get out of there. His mother is extremely nosy. She constantly prys for information, and asks questions which I consider off limits since they [...]

 
Dear Miss A,
I’ve been seeing a wonderful guy for a couple of months, and we just recently became exclusive. The problem is I’m not sure how to handle dating him during the upcoming holidays. I’m excited to have him in my life, but don’t want to scare him away. I wasn’t sure if I should invite [...]

Sarah Jessica Parker’s character meeting the family in “The Family Stone”.
 
dear miss a,
i broke up with a boyfriend not so long ago. we dated for almost a year, and i became really close to his family. the break-up was friendly (though i’m devastated) and the family has reached out that they still care about me [...]

Andrea Rodgers with Brandy, Cheryl Romero, Brenda Keller and Megan Riddle
My social life has gone to the dogs…quite literally! But I couldn’t be happier! Friday night, one of my best friends, Cheryl Romero invited me to watch the movie “Iron Man” in a home theatre at the beautiful home of Mark Rothman, founder of MYTA who sits on the board [...]

Dear Miss A,
So…I’m not too far off from proposing to my long time GF. We’ve been dating for over four years, live together, etc. Do I need to ask the father’s permission to propose? It strikes me as old fashioned and not necessary, but then again I don’t want the old coot mad at me [...]