DEAR NATALIE: I am dating this guy and he is WONDERFUL. He is black and I am white and while he seems to be fine with that fact, I am starting to get worried about meeting his friends. I am worried about potentially having children together and not saying or doing the right things with our future kids. I am worried that people (like his family) will have a problem with our differences and not see how much we love each other. I am worried that we are moving too fast without having this conversation, but I don't feel like I should bring it up. I want to be with him. I want to spend my life with him, but I don't want things to become even more difficult for him. What should I do? -- WORRIED

DEAR WORRIED: The only way you are going to get over this hurdle is to go through it. You have to communicate your fears and concerns with him. He may be feeling the same way and not be sure how to broach the subject with you. Because race is an emotionally charged subject with plenty of underlying topics that need discussed, you may not feel equipped or ready for this conversation. But guess what? You never will be unless you have those uncomfortable moments and work through them. I wish we could live in a world where race wasn't divisive, but we clearly aren't there. So to move your relationship forward, you have to take off your blinders and try to see the world through the lens of another. Have open communication, commit yourself to education on the subject and be empathetic. These are great ways to bridge the divides you are feeling and become stronger together.

Please send your relationship and lifestyle questions to nbencivenga@post-gazette.com or tweet them to @NBSeen. You can also send postal letters to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15212

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: Don't be afraid to speak up if you hear of a job opportunity that could suit your colleague or friend. You never know who may be interested in something that you may have to offer. Who knows, they may return the favor one day!

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

DEAR DIFFERENT PATHS: I’ve been mulling this one over and over. In one way, it may be best to let sleeping dogs lie. It was so long ago, and perhaps for him, burying that past heartache is best. But, as I thought about it more, so much time has passed. It may be a nice thing to hear from a long-lost love. It is romantic, in a way. So, if this has continued to weigh on your heart, a traditional handwritten letter might be a nice way to say how you feel without making direct contact. I would make it clear in the letter that you aren’t trying to upset him or stir up anything. You just want to thank him for being such a special and important part of your life and that wherever life has taken him, you wish him the best. I wouldn’t get too deep into your last meeting or that you broke his heart. I would focus on the good times that you shared. Love runs deep for some people, and it takes on many forms. While he may not have been “the one” for you, there is nothing wrong with holding a special place for him in your heart. Just don’t expect anything in return.

DEAR NATALIE: My daughter was recently asked to kiss her husband’s elderly grandmother on the lips when they visit her. She was told that when she turns her head to kiss her on the cheek that it’s insulting to the grandmother. My daughter has never been a big hugger or kisser in greeting situations, even with her immediate family. We’ve always respected her for those boundaries. If you could offer advice in this situation it would be appreciated! -- NO KISSES PLEASE

DEAR NO KISSES PLEASE: No one is obligated to kiss anyone on the lips — or anywhere else — for that matter! I’m sorry that the grandmother feels insulted, but kissing has to be a mutual decision. There is nothing wrong with her kissing her husband’s grandmother on the cheek, or even just giving her a hug. Not everyone is comfortable with physical displays of affection, and she is not in the wrong for avoiding touch that she doesn’t want. The next time the grandmother complains, have your daughter say something like, “Please don’t take it personally, I’m just not one for kisses.” And move on.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to her email, nbencivenga@post-gazette.com; or through postal mail to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Drive, Pittsburgh, Pa., 15212. Follow her on Twitter at @NBSeen and on Instagram @NatalieBenci

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: Feel like you aren’t getting anywhere on LinkedIn? Have you tried reacting to other people’s posts? Try commenting and liking articles. Post content that is relevant to your network, while giving your own thoughts on the topic. Being on social media isn’t enough. To make connections work in your favor, you have to engage with people in a meaningful way.

DEAR NATALIE: Is there anything wrong with wanting to be a wife and mother? I am 25 years old and engaged to a great guy who is 31. He and I both agree to wanting children, and he has a very stable, lucrative job at a law firm. I have wanted to have babies for as long as I remember. He says once we are married, I won’t have to work if I don’t want to, and we can start the family we both want. My mom (and my other friends) think this is a disaster waiting to happen, and I’d be crazy to give up my career to have babies. (I work in health care.) What do you think? -- FAMILY GAL

DEAR FAMILY GAL: There is nothing wrong with wanting to have a family and be a wife and a mother. There also is nothing wrong with having a career and wanting to balance that with a family life, or deciding to not have a family at all. The real issue, however, seems to be that your mother and friends are concerned for your future, and rightly so. The idea of giving up the ability to make your own money to settle down and raise a family may seem like an idyllic situation right now. You both are on the same page, you are young and in love. He has the financial stability to create a comfortable lifestyle for you and your potential children. But, you don’t want to end up in a situation down the road where maybe things don’t turn out as planned and you are left financially ruined. I know this isn’t something you want to hear, but it is important to always be prepared. Instead of completely giving up work, perhaps you could try to continue on a part-time basis. Plus, what if something happens to your husband and he loses his job? Then what? Children are many things, and expensive is definitely one of them. While being a wife and a mother are important aspects to a lot of people’s lives, it is important to remember that those roles shouldn’t be the only things that define who you are. We often times put ourselves on a back burner and try to make everyone else happy, losing ourselves in the mix. You had a life before you had a husband. Nurturing who you are outside of those parameters will only make you a better partner and a better mom when you decide to become one.

DEAR NATALIE: While having dinner the other night at a friend’s home, the hostess came to the table and wiped bread crumbs away in front of an elderly woman who was still eating. The elderly woman turned to me and said, “Don’t you think it is rude to clean up before someone is finished eating?” I responded by stating that this had happened to me at another person’s home. Before I could finish my response, the hostess began shouting at me and using four-letter words about how rude I was to suggest that it was rude to clean up. Attempting to calm the situation, I said, “What would Emily Post say about this?” At this point, the hostess made a really terrible remark toward me that I won’t repeat. I decided at that point to leave. The elderly woman kept saying to the host that I hadn’t done anything wrong and that she was the one who made the original comment. Then the hostess said to me that I needed to apologize to her. We’ve been friends for 55 years, but I don’t think I need to apologize for anything. Am I really at fault? --NEED AN ANSWER

DEAR NEED AN ANSWER: The only one who should apologize for anything is the hostess to you for her foul mouth. Not only is it completely inappropriate to shout obscenities at someone during a dinner party, but also her over-the-top reaction is embarrassing. This isn’t about the crumbs. There has to be something deeper happening here. Either she isn’t feeling well physically or mentally and it’s being projected out in unhealthy ways, or she doesn’t like to be criticized. Either way, you said nothing wrong or out of line. She should never have yelled at you, shouted nasty language your way or demanded an apology from you. I would let this simmer down. Do not try to engage with her right now. Maybe once she comes to her senses, she will send you a note or give you a call to apologize. While I wouldn’t destroy a 55-year relationship over this, I wouldn’t apologize, either. Maybe the next time you see her, she will pretend this didn’t happen. Maybe she will gloss over it. Or maybe she will stew about it for months. It’s up to her to act. All you can do is to set up boundaries and decide what you are willing to put up with and what you aren’t. You don’t deserve to be berated by anyone --especially an old friend.

Natalie's Networking Tip of the Week: Strategize ahead of time. Why are you attending this particular networking event? What skills do you bring to the table, and how can you help others there? Think about your goals beforehand. That will set you up for success.

Please send your questions to Natalie Bencivenga to her email, nbencivenga@post-gazette.com; or through postal mail to Natalie Bencivenga, 358 North Shore Dr., Pittsburgh, Pa., 15212. Follow her on Twitter at @NBSeen and on Instagram @NatalieBenci

(This column was originally published by the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.)