DEAR HARRIETTE: I went on a wonderful date last week. I encouraged myself to go to a networking event alone and ended up meeting an intriguing gentleman. We both decided to show up for ourselves, and throughout the evening we spoke about how we were new to branching out but determined to do so. The conversation felt illuminating yet platonic, so when he asked me to grab drinks afterwards, I agreed. By the end of the night, we were blatantly flirting and enjoying each other’s company. We spoke about other activities we could do and places we could see together at a later date. We had food at one place and drinks at two others. This was the most unexpected turn of the evening, and somehow we both forgot to exchange contact information! I think we both were a bit inebriated. We did exchange full names, so my only source to reconnect with this lovely man is public information. It feels a bit invasive Googling a person, but a lot of his professional details are available online -- no email or social accounts though. Do you have any suggestions on how to find a person when you have so little to go on? -- Lost Romance

DEAR LOST ROMANCE: The hopeless romantic in me wants to believe that you two will find each other if it is meant to be. In this day and age, it cannot be that hard to find a person. Think a little longer about whether you had any people in common. Might there be someone you know who knows him? If you cannot figure that out, just have patience.

DEAR HARRIETTE: My husband and I have been married for seven years, and we don’t have children. We originally agreed to hold off for a few years so we could enjoy married life with just the two of us. As time has passed, I’ve realized that I enjoy not having the additional responsibility that comes with children. We have been able to build up a strong savings while still being able to travel and go on dates often. We make good money, but if we had a child, our life would not look the same. I feel selfish admitting this, but I don’t want to give any of this up.

My husband feels ready to have a child. Lately, this difference has started to create tension between us. He talks about becoming a parent with excitement, while I feel anxious whenever the topic comes up. I worry about whether I would resent giving up the freedom we’ve worked so hard to build together. I love my husband, and I don’t want him to feel like I’m dismissing his dreams for our future. At the same time, I’m afraid that agreeing to have a child when my heart isn’t fully in it could lead to regret or resentment down the line. How do I talk to my husband about how I feel in this situation? -- Conflicted

DEAR CONFLICTED: Sit down and tell your husband the truth. Be completely honest and work through it. Sacrifice is real when you have children, but it can be the most rewarding experience you will ever have. You have to decide together if and when you are ready to take that step.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: My son moved away a couple of months ago. At the time, he told me that he was able to transfer his job, which would make the move that much more seamless. Last week, he called me to tell me that his employment contract will terminate in the next few weeks. I asked him where this was coming from, and he admitted that he knew all along that this was one of the conditions of his temporary office transfer. This is all news to me. He says he’s been applying and interviewing a ton, but he still hasn’t secured a new job.

My son has asked whether I’d be willing to help him with living expenses if things don’t change in the next few weeks. I can’t tell if I’m upset because he was dishonest or because I think the move was a poor decision. I want him to realize that he can’t always use me as a safety net. I want him to grow up, be more responsible and start making wiser, more thorough decisions. Should I let him fend for himself so he can learn a lesson in adulthood? Is there a way to help him and get through to him? -- Safety Net

DEAR SAFETY NET: Have a direct conversation with your son. Let him know how disappointed you are that he was dishonest with you -- and ultimately with himself. Point out that he is at the age where he needs to be able to take care of himself. Give him either a timeline or a set amount of money that you will give him before you intend to stop. (A timeline is probably better for someone who is not disciplined about money.) Tell him he has to figure out his life by then or learn how to fend for himself without you as his fallback.

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m in a committed relationship, but recently, I’ve found myself questioning where the line is between harmless flirting and cheating. I haven’t physically crossed any boundaries, but there’s someone at work I have easy chemistry with. We joke, tease and sometimes exchange lingering looks or playful comments. It feels energizing, and part of me enjoys the attention, even though I would never act on it.

My partner doesn’t know about these interactions, and that’s what makes me a bit worried. I’ve started wondering whether the secrecy itself means I’m already doing something wrong. At the same time, I don’t feel like I should have to shut down every spark of connection just because I’m in a relationship. I don’t want to hurt my partner or jeopardize what we’ve built, but I also don’t want to over-police my own behavior. How do I define reasonable boundaries for myself without depriving myself of human connection while still respecting the integrity of my relationship? -- Flirting or Cheating

DEAR FLIRTING OR CHEATING: The fact that you have given this much thought to it means that whatever you are doing with this co-worker is more than a meaningless flirtation. Step back and analyze the situation. What are you possibly missing at home that you derive from this co-worker? Is there a way for you to channel the energy that seems so “easy” back to your partner at home so that you focus any type of intimacy on that bond? Let this flirtation draw you back into your partnership. Then it will have served some good.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)

DEAR HARRIETTE: A close friend has expressed romantic interest in me. We’ve been in the same friend group for about eight years now. In recent years, I had suspected there was a bit of chemistry between us, but I always denied it to myself and to my girlfriends when they would ask about it. Recently, this friend admitted his feelings and proposed a weekend getaway as our first date. I can’t deny that I am moved by his choice to reveal his feelings -- even if it means risking our friendship. I’m flattered, and quite frankly I’m blushing!

I’m interested in this man, and I’m curious about what a deeper relationship might look like for us, but I held in my own feelings this long because I wanted to preserve the beautiful friendship we have. A getaway is spontaneous, and I’m a bit nervous, but honestly, I’m always nervous. Should I take the leap and go away with him, or should I maintain what we have? -- More Than Friends

DEAR MORE THAN FRIENDS: Why not take the leap and go with him for the weekend? Spend the time talking and exploring your thoughts and feelings. Agree to give each other the space to discover if it’s worth it to find out if a romance could emerge out of your friendship.

You can also agree to be respectful of each other and the rest of your friend group by treating this time as special. Don’t rush into intimacy. Take your time and see how things evolve.

DEAR HARRIETTE: A colleague of mine sent me an alarming article and suggested that I check in on my best friend. When I read the article, I found out that my friend’s partner had been arrested. The article was several months old, and since then, I have been to her home and out to dinners with her and her husband. My friend hasn’t mentioned any of this to me, so is it that she doesn’t want me to know or perhaps that she doesn’t know herself?

Now that I have this information, I want to check on her and let her know that I am here for her even when things are difficult. Is there a way to bring this up that won’t cause her to be defensive, or is it best to pretend I never read this article and butt out of their personal life? -- Sticking My Nose In

DEAR STICKING MY NOSE IN: If this woman is truly your best friend, she obviously chose not to share the information with you. You will be breaching an invisible wall by bringing it up. If you think your friend could benefit from moral support simply by knowing that you are aware of something that happened, discreetly inform her that someone showed you the article. Assure her that you are not fishing for details, but you want her to know that you will do whatever she needs you to do to support her. That could be talking, helping her find an attorney or doing nothing at all.

(Harriette Cole is a lifestylist and founder of DREAMLEAPERS, an initiative to help people access and activate their dreams. You can send questions to askharriette@harriettecole.com or c/o Andrews McMeel Syndication, 1130 Walnut St., Kansas City, MO 64106.)