DEAR ABBY: After two years of dating, my girlfriend, "Noelle," and I have become engaged. I asked for her father's blessing, and after first telling me he wanted a few weeks to think about it, he said yes. He then complained because he thought I'd ask him "somewhere with less distractions." (We were at the house, alone. He was sitting on the couch and I was in a chair.) I think he was just looking for something to gripe about.
After receiving his blessing, I proposed. Her dad says he's happy for us, but keeps acting like the wedding is years away. We have set a date for nine months from now, but he won't even discuss the budget. He calls Noelle and tells her who he wants her to invite, but seems surprised to find out it costs money. He's breaking her heart.
I am buying a condo, so I don't have much money available, but I have offered to help as much as I can. It's killing Noelle to have her father act this way. He is complaining about being forced to take out a loan. Is there anything I can do to get him to realize he's ruining this for his daughter? -- STRESSED-OUT GROOM, REDWOOD CITY, CALIF.
DEAR STRESSED OUT: Probably not, but you could relieve the stress on everyone by talking Noelle into a romantic elopement.