DEAR ABBY: I have been dating the same wonderful man nearly a year now. Although we are not yet engaged, we are headed in that direction and are already discussing wedding plans.
His mother, whom I adore, has offered to make my wedding gown. I am ecstatic at the prospect, but I have a question: Should I offer to pay for the material or just accept this generous gift? -- PRE-ENGAGED IN GULFPORT, MISS.
DEAR PRE-ENGAGED: If your boyfriend's mother is not only embracing you but measuring you for a wedding dress, I'd say you're further along than "pre-"engaged. And what a marvelous gift she is offering. By all means offer to pay for the material -- but I have a strong suspicion that she'll refuse to accept any money. From your description, she is a sweetheart.