DEAR ABBY: This letter is in response to the one you printed from the woman who signed herself "Lost in a Dream," who dreamed repeatedly about a former boyfriend.
I can relate to her. When I was 13, I met my "first love." He was the same age. We lived 30 minutes from each other, but we corresponded through letters and saw each other at monthly youth functions. It lasted more than a year.
Because of circumstances beyond our control, we were forced to part. It was one of the hardest things I ever did. Neither one of us wanted to break it off, but it was something I just had to do. I saw him for the first time in about 10 years four years ago. It was very nice to see him again, but it brought back a lot of memories.
Now, 15 years from the time we broke up, I'm married and so is he. Like "Lost in a Dream," I have a wonderful marriage. But every so often I think of him and dream about him, and wonder "What if?" He was very special to me. Some people call it "puppy love," but it was real to me. And for a 14-year-old, that was all that mattered.
I want to tell "Lost in a Dream" that she is not alone. She is not a bad person for this. Anything can trigger dreams. I am just relieved to know that I am not the only person who experiences this. Thanks, Abby, for printing that letter. -- RELIEVED IN ORLANDO, FLA.
DEAR RELIEVED: You're welcome. I have a stack of letters from readers echoing your message to "Lost in a Dream." Dreams of a former romance are nothing to lose sleep over. However, if they are causing anxiety, it can't hurt to talk them over with a professional.