DEAR ABBY: I recently met "Shelly," the girl of my dreams. She is everything I ever wanted in a girlfriend and more. This is the greatest relationship I have ever had in my life -- and she feels the same.
Shelly is leaving for college in September and I still have one more year of high school. I know in my heart it will never work with me here and Shelly there -- but I am not ready to lose the love of my life.
Abby, please give me some advice. I know my heart is going to break when Shelly leaves. -- LOVESTRUCK IN ST. LOUIS
DEAR LOVESTRUCK: I hope Shelly has a wonderful freshman year in college -- and that you have an exciting senior year in high school. Over the years I have heard from many teens in your situation. They have maintained their friendships by staying in contact through phone calls, writing letters and e-mails. What they haven't done is demand an exclusive relationship.
Now is the time for both of you to develop new friendships with people of both genders. Exclusivity ties you down and is not fair to either of you. When you develop new interests, you will have that much more to share when you do get together.