Breaking Up is Hard to Do
Dear Frankie,
I meet my boyfriend Roger two days a week at the dog park. The other three days, I hang out with my friend Reilly at doggie daycare.
Recently, Reilly had Covid and didn’t come to daycare for two weeks. I was so worried about him and missed him desperately. I couldn’t stop thinking about what my life would be like without him. That’s when I realized my feelings for him were more than for a friend.
When Reilly returned to daycare, I told him how I felt about him. He said he was thrilled because he had fallen in love with me the first day we met and hadn’t said anything knowing I had a boyfriend. It is clear to both of us that we were meant to be together.
Now I have to tell Roger, who is a good guy. I’m afraid it will break his heart.
Any advice on how to best tell him?
Sophia
Dear Sophia,
There is no easy way to break up with someone. It is even more problematic when it’s with a nice guy. There is no way around it: you must tell Roger what you told me.
It would help if you told him how terrible you feel and understand how difficult this news is for him. You might ask him if there is anything you could do to make the situation easier for him. If he asks for a follow-up conversation once he has had time to absorb your news, you owe him that.
You might also ask him if he would like you to change the time you go to the park, so he wouldn’t have to see you for a while. You should assure him that you haven’t told any of your friends about your decision out of respect for his feelings, and that you will leave it up to him to share the news when he is ready.
I told you it would be difficult. I had to do it once, and it was a real heart wrencher.
Best, Frankie
© 2023 Geneva Woodruff
Comments and letters can be sent to Frankie at dearfrankiecolumn@gmail.com. The Fairhaven Neighborhood News publishes the Dear Frankie column. To receive a free online subscription, readers can email neighbnews@comcast.net, request their name be added to the email list or visit www.neighbnews.com to read the paper online or to download the latest issue.
•••
Click here to download the 6/8/23 issue: 06-08-23 Graduation
Support local journalism, donate to the Neighb News with PayPal
