DEAR ABBY: My boyfriend and I have been dating for 11 months. He's 18 and I'm 17. Every date we go on is initiated and planned by me. For once, I'd like to be surprised and swept off my feet by his actually planning a date. I don't know how to go about this. I want to tell him without hurting his feelings. -- GETTING A LITTLE BORED IN QUAKERTOWN, PA.
DEAR GETTING A LITTLE BORED: The basis for a successful relationship is communication. While I don't advise you to tell your boyfriend that you're "getting a little bored," I do think it would be helpful to express that you'd like him to plan your dates once or twice a month so you don't have to do all the work in maintaining the relationship. That's not hurtful; it's truthful.