DEAR ABBY: My girlfriend, "Ashley," and I have been dating for three years. Every year I ask her to go on a trip with me to St. Louis where my parents live. It's a weekend trip my parents sponsor for our entire family, and it involves a Cardinals baseball game. Every year she refuses to go.
When she invites me on her family fishing trip to New Mexico, I go. When I ask why she won't do the same for my family trips, she makes excuses like she doesn't want to get up early. Most people in my family are early risers. Ashley is not. I tell her she can sleep as long as she likes; no one will care.
I believe there is something else that Ashley isn't telling me. I have expressed my unhappiness about this, but it does no good. I am to the point of just ending this relationship. I don't understand her reluctance. I really want her to come with me and spend more time with my family. What can I do? -- MYSTIFIED IN THE SOUTH
DEAR MYSTIFIED: Has Ashley met your family? If the answer is no, she may be afraid she won't fit in or that they won't like her for some reason. Unless you can get her to open up and tell you exactly why she won't go, you will never be able to convince her.
Because this has become such a sore point, you need to tell your girlfriend that her inflexibility has become a deal-breaker. But if you do, you may have to be prepared to follow through.