DEAR NATALIE: I just caught my business partner stealing money from our company. We have a small ad agency and have been growing over the past few years. We were finally making some real money. We have been friends for a long time, so I was shocked when I went into our joint account and saw that a lot – and I mean A LOT – of money was missing. When I confronted them about this, they denied it at first. Then they broke down and admitted that they used the money to pay off personal credit card debt and to help their son with student loans. I was truly enraged. They basically wiped us out. There’s no way they will be able to pay the company back unless they take out a significant loan. I’m not sure what to do. Do I press charges? This is my friend and I love them, but obviously I can’t be in business with them any longer. It raises so many questions, but at the core of this, I just feel utterly betrayed. I’m not returning their phone calls right now, as I need time to process this. My life partner says that I should definitely press charges and get a lawyer. But beyond that, I don’t know how to deal with this emotionally. Any thoughts? – BETRAYED AND BROKE

DEAR BETRAYED AND BROKE: While I certainly can’t speak to the legalities of this, I will say that it is a good idea to get a lawyer involved and have them explore your options. This is a tragedy on so many levels, but everyone makes their choices. They chose to do this and unfortunately, they will have to deal with the consequences of their actions. What makes this even sadder is the fact that you were friends before this happened. Now what? Where can you go when your relationship has been so damaged by their actions? Everything you built together is over. Beyond untangling this from a financial, legal and business perspectives, you are allowed to grieve for this friendship. Take the time you need to wrap your head around what has happened here. Feelings of betrayal, grief, rage and anxiety are all normal and expected. You don’t owe them anything right now. Focus on what you need in order to heal. If they want to rebuild any sense of a relationship with you, then they need to understand what a long road it will be to get there. And if you don’t want to go on that journey, then don’t. Work on the business first and then see what you have left to give. This may be the end of the road for your friendship and business relationship for good and you may need time to process that. Good luck to you. 

DEAR NATALIE: My sister just broke up with her longtime boyfriend and has gone a little bit off of the deep end. She is saying that she’s “done with men” and reinventing herself – including dating women. She cut off all of her hair, stopped wearing makeup and says she feels “liberated.” She was with her ex for about seven years and we always expected they would get married. They met in high school and we come from a very small, rural community. People marry young, have babies and generally don’t leave. She told my mother yesterday that she wants to move and is looking for work outside of the county. My parents are just horrified at her behavior. I am not nearly as conservative as them, but I do worry that she is setting herself up for backlash from the community. A few of her “friends” are already not speaking to her because of this. I’m not sure why she broke it off with her boyfriend, but wondering if she’s actually gay? Is this her way of coming out? What should I do to support her? – I LOVE MY SISTER

DEAR I LOVE MY SISTER: Kudos to your sister for recognizing that the life that was laid out ahead of her was not the life that she wanted. She may have been grappling with her sexuality for a while now, as many people come into their own as young adults. Perhaps she did everyone a favor by ending the relationship instead of faking it and making them both miserable in the long run. Now, as far as your parents are concerned, you can’t “make” them understand this. Hopefully in time, they will come around and recognize that this is still their daughter (new haircut or not). It saddens me to think of how many parents throw away relationships with their children simply because of who they love or how they choose to move in the world. As long as your sister isn’t hurting anyone, why shouldn’t she do as she pleases? I applaud her for standing up for herself and her needs. I applaud you for standing by her side. What a beautiful – and authentic – relationship you can now have with one another. Embrace it, cherish it and enjoy what blossoms.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com.

Check out her new radio show every Saturday from 2-5pm EST on KDKA Radio 1020AM, 100.1FM, stream it on the

Audacy app or at www.kdkaradio.com

Watch her award-winning video series with Pennsylvania Capital Star, Facts Over Fear: www.penncapital-star.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram @NatalieBencivenga

and on TikTok @NatalieBencivenga

DEAR NATALIE: My wife and I got into a huge argument the other night and I told her that I wished I had never married her. I don’t feel that way, I was just angry. It was such a stupid fight and now I feel as though we are in a bad situation made worse because of what I said. She said that she’s never talked to me that way and wonders if there is a kernel of truth to it. We’ve been married for seven years and while we’ve always had somewhat of a “volatile” relationship, I certainly don't want a divorce. How do I get her to move forward now even though I can’t take it back? – I JUST MISSPOKE

DEAR I JUST MISSPOKE: We have all been guilty of saying things in the heat of the moment that we wish we could take back. And telling your spouse you wished you never married them would definitely fall under that category. We can’t expect someone to just “move forward,” however, without actively working to repair what happened. It just doesn’t start and end with, “I’m sorry.” Actions speak louder than words, so you are going to have to plan some thoughtful date nights, write her a few love letters (or buy a few cute cards) and perhaps get her a few thoughtful gifts over the course of the next weeks and months to show her that you are glad that you married her. It will take time and effort on your part, but if you want your marriage to heal and grow even stronger, now is the time. I would also recommend reading “The Marriage Clinic” by John Gottman which has a lot of great exercises in it to use when you are actively repairing a relationship. Next time, think before you speak, because words can hurt the most from those we love.    

DEAR NATALIE: My best friend, Jordan, and I have been thinking about having a baby together. Neither of us have ever gotten married. We are both in our late 30s and work in corporate jobs with good salaries. We were talking the other night and just said how hard dating is and how we both want a family. I have watched him go through a divorce and he has seen me deal with one bad relationship after another. So why not live together as friends and raise a baby? I give up on ever finding love. Wouldn't it actually be easier if you took the sex out of the dynamic, anyway? My mother thinks I’m absolutely crazy and she thinks that Jordan is in love with me. She wanted to know how this would even work. Obviously, we would use IVF. I’m not attracted to Jordan…it didn’t even occur to me that he could be attracted to me. Do I bring that up? This seems like a great situation so I don’t want to mess it up. I really want to be a mother more than a wife, anyway. What do you think? – HAVE A BABY WITH MY BESTIE

DEAR HAVE A BABY WITH MY BESTIE: Mothers know best. This I have learned, and if your mother feels as though your best friend may be in love with you, you should sit with that. I’m not going to tell you how to create a family – especially if you both want this. But what if your mom is right and you intensify your relationship with this person, co-parent with them, and the whole time they are just waiting for you to fall in love with them. Things could get more than awkward – they could get downright hostile. If you factor in an innocent child with all of that, it could be a recipe for disaster. Better to put your cards on the table first. And it may be best to examine your own feelings, as well. Do you not think of him that way because you put him in the friend-zone? What is it about him that makes him a great best friend? Is he kind? Loyal? Thoughtful and caring? Secure in himself? Reliable? All of these are great qualities in a husband, too. Just something to think about.  

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com.

Check out her radio show every Saturday from 2-5pm EST on KDKA Radio 1020AM, 100.1FM, stream it on the

Audacy app or at www.kdkaradio.com

Watch her award-winning video series with Pennsylvania Capital Star, Facts Over Fear: www.penncapital-star.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram @NatalieBencivenga

and on TikTok @NatalieBencivenga

DEAR NATALIE: My husband and I opened our marriage a few years ago, and it’s been a great decision for both of us. Recently, through a trivia night we go to, we’ve become friends with a couple who is also open and just recently moved to town. The woman, Alex, has been a little flirty with me, and it’s been fun to get to know her. Last week I went to a new spa for a massage and found out that Alex works at the spa as a masseuse. I got my massage and came out and she happened to be standing there. She made a couple of flirty comments and told me I should come back to the spa to see her sometime. This sounds fun and exciting to me, but I’m curious if she does this with everyone. I don’t want to disrupt the budding friendship we all have, but I’d definitely like to see her at the spa and see where things go. What should I do? – OPEN TO MORE

DEAR OPEN TO MORE: I’m not sure if starting something up at Alex’s place of work is a good idea. I know she made a flirty comment – which opened the door – but if you like going to this place, you may want to think twice. What if things don’t work with Alex and then it becomes awkward to go there? What if you misinterpret something she says or does and she reports you to her supervisor and gets you kicked out? You don’t know her well enough to make a decision about her as a person. Get to know her outside of the workspace first. Trivia night sounds like a fun place to connect that is free from professional entanglements. If it goes well, you don’t need her place of employment to heat things up! 

DEAR NATALIE: I’ve never actually been in love. I’m 42-years-old. All of my friends are either married or divorced. They’ve all had serious relationships and while I’ve dated, I can’t actually say that I’ve loved anyone. It’s not that I don’t want to find someone. But everyone I’ve dated has had major faults that I haven’t been able to overlook. My best friend said that I’m too “critical” of people and that I am doing this to avoid getting my heart broken. But shouldn’t I be picky? Shouldn't I be swept off my feet? Why should I settle? I’d rather be alone and content than with someone and lonely. But my friend is worried about me and wants to set me up on some dates with men they know. I am mostly against it. What do you think?

– LOVELESS BY CHOICE

DEAR LOVELESS BY CHOICE: There is nothing wrong with being on your own timeline when it comes to love and romance. The question I have for you is: Are you content with your life? Meaning, if you were to stay single, would you be okay with that? If the answer is yes, then let love find you on its own. But, if you are open to the idea of meeting someone, then why not let your friend set you up on some dates? Sometimes, we have to get out of our own way to make changes in our lives. It can get harder as you get older to find someone if for no other reason than the fact that you can get stuck in your ways. You can get used to things being “your way” and that can make you critical of others. That doesn’t mean you can’t have a fulfilling and joyful life full of love from friends and family. Some people are better off single. Maybe you are one of them. But who knows? Perhaps when you least expect it, you will get swept off of your feet…as long as you are open to the possibility.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to

asknatalieadvice@gmail.com.

Check out her new radio show every Saturday from 2-5pm EST on KDKA Radio 1020AM, 100.1FM, stream it on the

Audacy app or at www.kdkaradio.com

Watch her award-winning video series with Pennsylvania Capital Star, Facts Over Fear: www.penncapital-star.com

Follow Natalie on Instagram @Natalie_Bencivenga

and on TikTok @NatalieBencivenga