Columnist Dear Abby has advised a young woman questioning her age-gap marriage to prioritize addressing her feelings with her current husband before contemplating a separation.
The reader, who married at 20 to a then 32-year-old man, expressed concerns that unsolicited comments from others about missing out on her 20s and the age difference are impacting her perspective on their five-year marriage and their child. While describing her husband as kind and supportive of her personal growth, she noted a disconnect in their intimate life and uncertainty about whether her feelings stem from genuine love or romanticized depictions.
Dear Abby, whose real name is Jeanne Phillips, suggested that the reader discuss these feelings with her husband. "If he’s as kind as you say, he should be willing to show you the romance you feel you’ve missed out on," Phillips wrote. She discouraged seeking external relationships before making a concerted effort to address these desires within the marriage and recommended considering a licensed couples counselor.
The column also addressed a separate query from a sports reporter in an on-again, off-again relationship with a co-worker. Dear Abby advised him to have an open conversation about their relationship's future, stating, "It seems the time has come for a conversation with him about your relationship and whether he thinks there might be a future for the two of you."
Dear Abby was founded by Pauline Phillips and is currently written by her daughter, Abigail Van Buren, also known as Jeanne Phillips.