DEAR ABBY: What's the best way to decline handshakes? In social settings, I often find myself ready to dine, hands washed and sanitized, only for someone to thrust their hand toward me expecting a han... more

DEAR ABBY: The last two years have been especially tough. I went through a breakup after a four-year relationship, my dog developed cancer and I had to put her to sleep, and I caught COVID and have be... more

DEAR ABBY: My husband's brother and his wife visit every six weeks and are guests in our home. My husband is very close to his brother, and I know the time they spend together is a blessing to both of... more

DEAR ABBY: My husband was the love of my life. I lost him to COVID eight months ago. We were together for 20 years. I know without a doubt that my husband loved me, but during our marriage he had seve... more

DEAR ABBY: I'm 55 and own my home. "Randall," 53, lives with me and pays me rent. We used to be a couple, but COVID caused too much togetherness. He's in the spare bedroom now. My house is cheaper for... more

DEAR ABBY: I have been married for almost three years to an incredible man. It's the third marriage for both of us. I have an older daughter, and he has two older children -- a son and a daughter. Las... more

DEAR ABBY: I am an only child and I love my mother. My father passed away after a short illness three years ago, leaving my mother a widow. My problem is, she calls me multiple times a day. I'm not on... more

DEAR ABBY: Two and a half years ago we lost my dad, who was 94. He and Mom had been married 72 years. She entered assisted living right before COVID -- with all its difficulties -- set in. We made it ... more

DEAR ABBY: My daughter just told her husband of six years (and two beautiful children) that she no longer wants a relationship with him. Truthfully, he hasn't worked since COVID and spends most of the... more

DEAR ABBY: Since my divorce, I have started dating again. I was seeing a firefighter until I realized he was married with kids. Yes, I was angry with him for hiding the truth from me from the start. T... more

DEAR ABBY: My wife and I recently invited two of our best friends to dinner. As the husband was walking through our front door, he announced, "I have an awful cold, but it's not COVID!" I was so shock... more

DEAR ABBY: Right before the COVID pandemic began, I was working in D.C. and met a man who lives there. We had amazing chemistry, but soon afterward I was no longer able to travel. We stayed in touch f... more

DEAR ABBY: I had a hard time during the COVID pandemic. I'm a stress eater but got that under control years ago. However, over the last year, I've been having issues with stress drinking. I sneak many... more