DEAR ABBY: I have been with my man for seven years and I keep asking him when we're getting married. He said we would -- "someday." Then COVID came along. Now he says after the pandemic is completely over. He has admitted he's scared to get married again because he doesn't want to be hurt like he was when his ex cheated on him. I told him I'm not like her. He says he knows that, and I'm the kindest, sweetest woman he's ever met.

I love this man with all my heart. We get along fine. I have my wedding dress and shoes. I'm tired of his excuses. I'm almost ready to say the heck with it and sell my dress and shoes. Should I? Please give me some advice. -- NEVER A BRIDE IN NEW ENGLAND

DEAR NEVER A BRIDE: The COVID problem, with the many variants that keep cropping up, is likely to be with us for the foreseeable future. Tell your reluctant bridegroom you love him, but seven years is enough time for him to decide whether he wants to be married to you. You don't need a special dress and shoes to accomplish that, just a heart full of love and a willing partner. A visit to the courthouse is all that's required. If he still isn't willing to set a date, and being married is what you need, then it's time to move on.

DEAR ABBY: I am a divorced woman. My fiance, "Keith," is a widower. My two younger children have accepted and love him. My oldest daughter is slowly coming around. However, Keith's adult adopted sons and daughter are making it hard. One son has refused to have any contact with his father since his mom's death three years ago. The other son and daughter have been causing A LOT of pain because of their hatred toward Keith and me.

Keith and I argue more now, and I'm so overwhelmed and stressed that I'm often in tears. What can I do to get his son and daughter off our case? We have known each other more than 20 years and have been a couple for a year and a half. -- UNACCEPTED IN MISSOURI

DEAR UNACCEPTED: There is nothing you can do to change the attitudes of your fiance's adult children. You can, however, stay out of the line of fire. I wish you had mentioned what caused the hard feelings from Keith's children. Could they think you and Keith were romantically involved before his wife's death?

Because this is causing the two of you so much stress and pain that it's affecting your relationship, ask your physician to refer you to a licensed marriage and family therapist to help you both through this very unpleasant patch.

DEAR ABBY: What should I do when another married woman hugs my husband every time she sees him? -- BOTHERED IN FLORIDA

DEAR BOTHERED: If you complain to the woman, you risk being perceived as possessive and insecure. Ideally, your husband should tell her (privately) that he would appreciate it if she was less effusive when she sees him because it makes him uncomfortable.

DEAR ABBY: Is there any way to end the "holiday newsletter"? Every Christmas, I get one from a particular family member, which invariably includes a list of their glowing accomplishments, expensive trips, etc., accompanied by lots of photos. Nobody else in our family sends these kinds of letters, and I don't know how they feel about receiving it. Last December, I couldn't even read it because it made me so depressed.

My siblings and I are all in our 60s and 70s and spread out across the U.S. We have diverse lifestyles, incomes, etc. Most of us can't afford the kind of vacations this sibling writes about. Many of us also have personal, painful things going on in our lives, which we don't really want to discuss.

Is it better to just not read the newsletter? I don't believe this sibling means to be insensitive, and I don't think I could ever bring the subject up for discussion. I just know I'm already dreading December's letter. Please let everyone out there know: no more holiday newsletters. Thank you. -- UNWANTED RECAP IN THE WEST

DEAR UNWANTED: Many folks send holiday newsletters because they are an easy way to stay in touch with friends and relatives they don't see or communicate with often. The letters are often polished up -- even embellished -- because everyone wants to present their best image. Because these communications are often welcomed, I'm hesitant to advise readers not to send them. However, because you find them depressing, either shred them unopened or delete them if they arrive electronically.

DEAR ABBY: A month ago, when I invited a co-worker to a concert happening next month, he was so excited to go. But we had a big disagreement at work -- and, since then, we haven't found a way to get along. At this point, it might be more awkward than fun to go to a concert together, but I feel stuck. If I take back my invitation, he can hold that against me. If I don't take it back, it could be an incredibly awkward night. Am I missing an option? What should I do? -- AWKWARD IN THE MIDWEST

DEAR AWKWARD: If you disinvite your co-worker it will create more bad feelings at work. If you follow through, the concert may provide an opportunity for the two of you to resolve your differences. I think it's worth a try.

DEAR ABBY: My dad always wants to know what I'm doing and expects me to help him all the time. I invite him to events I'm having. I help him often because I'm his translator, since his English isn't very good. We moved here almost 30 years ago.

My dad does not do the same for me. I am never invited anywhere and he never wants to tell me things. It's like pulling teeth to get an "I love you" out of him. How do I approach him about this without upsetting him? He's a very sensitive person. -- ONE INVITE IN THE WEST

DEAR ONE INVITE: It seems your father is not only "sensitive," but also secretive and entitled. Most relationships are reciprocal; his relationship with you is not. This could be because of the culture in which he grew up. Because this bothers you, you need to tell your father how you feel about it. Nothing will be resolved unless you do.

DEAR ABBY: I was married for 20 years. We met when I was 13. Our relationship continued through high school and college. We later married and had three children. I held down a full-time job while taking care of a large house, running the children to practices, helping with homework, etc.

Our marriage fell apart, and we divorced seven years ago. We always attended our children's events together and stayed connected as each child left the nest and our oldest got married. We both dated others during this time, and I met someone I loved more than anyone I had ever loved before. But that relationship fell apart due to his infidelity.

Two years ago, my ex-husband and I began our relationship anew. We went to counseling and everything was going well. We bought a house together and are living under one roof with our youngest son. The issue is, we have fallen back into the same old pattern. My husband is rude to me and our son. He's also annoying, and repeats the same conversations over and over. I no longer have any physical attraction to him.

At this point in my life (I am in my 50s), I don't want to go back out in the dating world, but I miss the companionship and attention I found doing so. Our youngest son is a senior this year and will be going to college. I still own a house (currently on the market), and I could return to it, but because he put my name on the new house, it would be a hassle to balance both. I'm not happy, but I don't know what to do. -- STRUCK OUT TWICE

DEAR STRUCK OUT: If your partner's repetitiveness is new behavior, get him to his doctor for a thorough physical and neurological examination, because there may be something happening with his health. If that's not the case, you two may need more relationship counseling to bring you back to the place you were when you reunited.

If counseling fails to achieve the desired result, you will then have to decide what's more important to you -- staying in a loveless relationship or gambling on living a different life and possibly being alone. (I know what I would do.) But if you are more afraid of being alone than living the rest of your life with someone who verbally abuses you and your son, this is a decision you must make for yourself.

DEAR ABBY: I have a friend I grew close to a few years ago. After she moved an hour away, we saw each other only occasionally. I have come to realize that I'm no longer interested in the friendship. She focuses mostly on herself, and I no longer enjoy her company.

I started communicating less and less often with her in an effort to let the relationship fade away, hoping the distance would allow for a more natural break. It has been a few years since I have communicated with her, but she continues to email, text and contact me on social media. I have not responded. Should I have handled this differently? I didn't formally say goodbye, largely because I didn't know what to say to end it. Please help. -- AT A LOSS FOR WORDS IN ILLINOIS

DEAR AT A LOSS: Because such a long time has elapsed since you were close, I don't think any "announcements" are necessary. If her messages and posts annoy you, simply block them.