DEAR ABBY: My wife and I just celebrated our 10th anniversary. Our problem is that most people -- including our families -- think it was our sixth anniversary. We were married quietly because we were short of money. When we had enough saved up to have the wedding we wanted, we got "married" again, and didn't mention the first one. We felt that if people knew we were already husband and wife, they wouldn't view our ceremony and reception as special and might not attend.
We didn't really lie. We just never discussed our quiet marriage ceremony, and no one ever asked how long we've been married. When someone does ask, we don't hide the facts.
Abby, should we come clean? -- NOT QUITE TRUTHFUL IN GEORGIA
DEAR NOT QUITE TRUTHFUL: Allowing others to believe a falsehood while withholding the truth is akin to lying. The date of your marriage is nobody's business but yours; however, since your conscience is bothering you, tell your family the truth. There's no way to sugar-coat the deception, but I suspect your family and friends will be understanding. You may be surprised to discover you're not the only couple who have fibbed about the date of their marriage.