Dear Abby: I’ve been married for 35 years but I’m ready to move on

Dear Abby: I have been married to “George” for 35 years. I was pregnant when I married. We had dated only five months. We came from families that believed you had to “do the right thing” and get married. I love my husband, but never as deeply as I thought I should.

I had feelings for someone else (“Dennis”) before I got married, but we were always in different relationships when we’d see each other. He was my husband’s best man at our wedding, and they were friends for many years. He moved away and we had not seen each other for 25 years. Dennis and I recently reconnected, and when we first saw each other, it was like I was hit by a truck full of emotions.

Dennis makes me feel ways I never felt before. We have long talks about how much we missed each other. We can tell each other anything. I’m the happiest I have ever been in my life, but once again, things are complicated. I still live with my husband, although I’m in the process of moving out as soon as I can. Dennis has to take care of his mother and can’t just walk off.

We want to be together. We have never done anything more than hug and share passionate kisses. George will be hurt, but should I keep putting my happiness last just to please someone else? When do I deserve to be happy?

— About To Flee

Dear About To Flee: You have a right to be happy and so does George. Have you and Dennis been discussing marriage during any of those long talks? Does George know you are planning to move out and why? How does Dennis’ mother (who is very much in the picture) feel about his romance with you? How do you plan to support yourself if your romance should not work out?

Be sure you have answers to these questions before you pack your bags, because if you don’t, you may find you slammed the door on a satisfactory marriage to a man whose only flaw was that he wasn’t Dennis.

What teens need to know about sex, drugs, AIDS and getting along with peers and parents is in “What Every Teen Should Know.” Send your name and mailing address, plus check or money order for $8 (U.S. funds) to: Dear Abby, Teen Booklet, P.O. Box 447, Mount Morris, IL 61054-0447. (Shipping and handling are included in the price.)