Don’t waste time now mutual interest is clear

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: I just received a suspicious gift of flowers from my recent ex-boss. I changed jobs last month because I had fallen in love with him, and he didn’t seem to reciprocate my feelings in any way I could sense. But he has since broken up with his longtime girlfriend!

I used to tease him about being too cheap to marry her and make an honest woman of her, and come to think of it, he did give me long, searching looks when I did that. I think he maybe he cared about me too much to be my boss. What do you think?

— Nervous, But Wanting Him, St. Norbert

Dear Nervous: The recent flowers were a clear message he cares about you. So, don’t ignore him any longer. Get busy on this project! You two are wasting even more time now, when you could be having a wonderful time together.

If he doesn’t ask you out on a date this week, you should ask him. He’ll be happy to get the call! You don’t work for him anymore, and he’s single, so now any romantic situation can be above board. So, get on that phone and finally make it happen. He’s made the first move, and now he needs your help.

You can just ask, “Are these flowers an invitation to dinner with you? Because I accept!”

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: My crazy mother likes to liven up Christmas dinner for the usual suspects from our boring family. For the last two years she’s invited a surprise guest nobody knew was coming — until the doorbell rang. Then we just had to cope.

For instance, last year my first husband was invited — a real shocker! My mother’s excuse was, “He was alone for Christmas and I always really liked him. I just ran into him shopping.“ He was actually a lot of fun at playing charades, and my new husband even liked him. So, she got away with that one.

But this Christmas she’s trying again, and she’s gone too far! She’s invited a guy from her own past — an old boyfriend who’s a small-time gambler and he’s going to be the dealer for card games we’ll all play after dinner. I told her playing cards for money is off the table at Christmas, and now she’s furious! How can I control her?

— Big Mess, Fort Rouge

Dear Big Mess: At Mom’s house, she feels it’s her duty to entertain and keep things light and happy at Christmas. Next year, maybe you could host the holiday get-together and then you can make the rules.

So kick off 2026 by talking about a new host and possible themes for next December. That way Mom can relax and enjoy other people at the next Yuletide party instead of trying to manage the dinner, food, drinks, games and surprise guests.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I married a happy, chubby woman and I liked her like that. Then I proposed and she went on an immediate diet and got model thin. I told her I liked her with more weight and she immediately dropped the diet and put back on the weight, plus more. What now?

— Nobody’s Happy, Exchange District

Dear Nobody’s Happy: You need to have a talk with your beloved that expresses this sentiment: “It’s not about the weight! It’s about you and your health and you relaxing into this relationship so I don’t have to worry about you going on crazy fad diets. I just want a healthy version of you with me, for always.“

This news will come as a huge relief to your mate when she mulls it over. Give her time to think about it, and how much you love her — and she’ll finally start to relax.

Please send your questions and comments to lovecoach@hotmail.com or Miss Lonelyhearts c/o the Winnipeg Free Press, 1355 Mountain Ave., Winnipeg, MB, R2X 3B6.