DEAR ABBY: My sister passed away from cancer seven years ago. Her daughter and I have always been close -- doing things together, going on trips, etc. Four years ago, she started dating a guy who thinks he's better than everyone. I have met him but have yet to meet the rest of his family. She always comes up with some excuse.
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This past weekend she told me they were going somewhere special so he could propose, and he wanted to borrow a ring he had already given her (which I thought was odd). Then I saw on Facebook that his entire family was there for that special moment, but I wasn't invited.
I am heartbroken. If he planned it and didn't ask me, that's being a jerk. But my niece knowing about it and excluding me is a different story. I'm hurt and angry. I don't know what to say to her at this point. I feel she's ashamed of or embarrassed by me because I don't drive a fancy car. -- OVERLOOKED AUNT IN VIRGINIA
DEAR AUNT: You state that your niece's boyfriend thinks he is "better than everyone" and you suspect you were excluded from the engagement event because you are not as wealthy as the family he comes from. But if he couldn't afford to buy your niece an engagement ring and needed to borrow one he had already given her, you may be overestimating his net worth.
I can't blame you for feeling the way you do, and please realize you have every right to express those feelings to the thoughtless niece you befriended.