Man's partner has intimate relationship with another man
Dear Amy: I am a graduating from high school next month. My parents have graciously given me a wonderful education at a small Catholic high school. They want to throw me a graduation party. Second semester my junior year, one of my really close friends dropped out of the school -- we later found out she was pregnant and did not want to face the negative stigma that comes from being pregnant in a Catholic high school. Since then I have seen her once, at her baby shower.
I would really love to invite her to this party, since I still consider us friends, even though she hardly responds to any of my texts or Facebook messages.
My question is, what would be the etiquette surrounding this situation? She had planned on graduating with us and I don't want to make her uncomfortable, since there will most likely be others from our school at this party. I don't want it to seem like I am rubbing this in her face, but I would love it if she could attend.
What should I do? -- Graduating
Dear Graduating: You should invite your friend, but expect that she might choose not to attend this particular party. You are right to be sensitive to what she might be thinking and feeling at this point, but her situation is already isolating and if she attended this celebration, it could help her to integrate back into this friendship group.
Be very honest with her: "I miss you! I would really love it if you could attend my graduation party. Lots of our friends will be there and we'd all love to see you and the baby. If this is hard for you or you don't want to come, I understand, but please know that you will always be an important part of our class."
Dear Amy: I'm responding to the letter from "Divided Family." I want him to know that sometimes a family estrangement is best for everyone.
It's been 13 years since I last spoke to my Dad and I'm better off without him and his issues. -- Still Grieving
Dear Grieving: I've also dealt with family estrangement. It is quite painful, and, unfortunately, quite common.
========
(You can contact Amy Dickinson via email: askamy@tribpub.com. You can also follow her on Twitter @askingamy or "like" her on Facebook. Amy Dickinson's memoir, "The Mighty Queens of Freeville: A Mother, a Daughter and the Town that Raised Them" (Hyperion), is available in bookstores.)
