DEAR ABBY: I am in my mid-50s, divorced for many years, and have two grown children. I began seeing a delightful gentleman about three years ago. (I'll call him Jack.) He was dating several women at the time, and after a few months, I made it clear that we would have to have an exclusive relationship or I could not go on seeing him. Jack reluctantly agreed and kept his promise.
Four months ago, I demanded a commitment from him. I knew I loved him and wanted to spend the rest of my life with him. He told me he loved me, but marriage is out of the question -- and if that is the only way I'd stay with him, we have to say goodbye.
I think I have made a terrible mistake, Abby. What are your thoughts on this? -- DEPRESSED IN DES MOINES
DEAR DEPRESSED: Since marriage is important to you, you were right to lay it on the line to him. His unwillingness, regardless of how nicely put, to take your relationship to another level means he wasn't as committed to you as you were to him. And once your self-esteem heals, you will realize that the person who made the terrible mistake was Jack.