DEAR ABBY: I am a 14-year-old girl. Over the past couple of years, I have grown very close to my 28-year-old cousin, "Amanda." She lives halfway across the country, but we have kept in touch by e-mail and had fun hanging out together last summer.
I recently heard from relatives that Amanda is planning to get married in a few months. She has not known the man very long, and he has not yet been formally introduced to our family. Amanda doesn't have much money, so they've decided on a small ceremony with only their parents attending.
I'm disappointed that I won't be able to go. I'm also afraid that Amanda and I won't be as close as we have been, since being married is a huge commitment and her priorities may shift.
I have tried talking to her about this, but she hasn't answered my e-mails. I miss the closeness we had, and I feel guilty that I'm not as excited as I should be about this big event in Amanda's life. What should I do? -- SAD COUSIN IN CALIFORNIA
DEAR SAD: Your special relationship with your cousin is not over, but it has been moved to the back burner because right now she's distracted by her whirlwind romance and planning for her wedding. Once she comes back down to earth, I'm sure you will hear from her.
Send her a token gift and a sweet card wishing her happiness. Try to forgive her for not answering your e-mails and accept the fact that she may be distracted for a while. And rather than allowing yourself time to brood, fill your time with activities and friends you enjoy. These things have a way of working themselves out in time. Trust me.