Dear Abby: I thought he was ignoring me, but he says he had serious family problems
A woman who has not dated in 25 years worries that her insecurity and impatience may have damaged a new relationship. After assuming a man was ignoring her, she confronted him and now fears she has lost him.
Liam Carter 
Dear Abby: A mature woman who spent 25 years out of the dating scene is worried she has ruined a new connection. After diving into a dating site to find a compatible partner, her deep-seated insecurities flared when she didn't hear back from a new man.
When her attempts to call him went unanswered, she jumped to conclusions, assuming he was seeing other people. She ultimately confronted him at his home, declaring that she had moved on. The man explained that he was juggling a broken phone, a sick mother, and a son currently in jail. Now, she is left feeling regretful, fearing her impatience has cost her the relationship. She has reached out via text and is anxiously waiting for a response.
Dear Anxious: Even mature individuals can fall into traps of immaturity. Once your insecurities took the wheel, you came on far too strong. Send a sincere apology and clarify that you have not actually moved on, but be prepared to accept the outcome. The ball is in his court; if you don't hear back within a reasonable window, it is time to move forward and look elsewhere for companionship.
A painful exit
Dear Abby: A man who believed he was heading toward marriage with his partner of a year and a half is struggling with a sudden, confusing breakup. Everything seemed perfect—they shared daily communication, inside jokes, and deep connections with each other's parents—until a birthday weekend changed everything.
After the woman returned from a weekend trip with co-workers, she became distant. What followed was a series of bizarre excuses, including sheltering a friend in an abusive marriage and the sudden reappearance of a long-estranged father. After months of silence, she agreed to meet at a hotel to discuss their future, only to ghost him entirely. While she still follows him on social media, the man is left depressed and uncertain about how to proceed.
Dear Ghosted: Patterns of behavior are telling. Your girlfriend’s shift in attitude began after that birthday weekend. Whatever transpired during that trip, she had a change of heart, yet lacked the courage to be honest about it. You must come to terms with the fact that she isn't the person you thought she was. To protect your own well-being, you should block her on social media. She may claim she doesn't want to lose you, but she effectively ended things when she stood you up at that hotel. You have our sympathies.
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Dear Abby is written by Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips, and was founded by her mother, Pauline Phillips. Contact Dear Abby at www.DearAbby.com or P.O. Box 69440, Los Angeles, CA 90069.
