Boozy, besotted parents upstage bride and groom

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 25/02/2025 (558 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

DEAR MISS LONELYHEARTS: My wife and I just got married — a great wedding in an old church. Then there was the big dinner — and an unexpected “after show” at the reception, starring our crazy parents.

Both sets of our parents are divorced, and two of them have married new mates. That left my single mother and my wife’s single father, who were not bringing dates. So, we parked my mom and my bride’s dad together, at a big table for eight, hoping they’d be able to get along.

Oh boy, did they ever — like a house on fire! What a party pair. Soon they were hardly paying any attention to anyone but each other, and they were busy getting into the champagne together. At major toasting time, both our sozzled parents got up and proposed toasts to the bride and groom — but they were clearly fixated on one another. There were some raised eyebrows over that.

We were more than eager to bid adieu to the crowd and leave for our month-long honeymoon at a faraway beach resort. But the very next day, our best man called us up while we were on the beach. He had to inform us everybody was buzzing about the “new couple” at the wedding party.

I told my buddy we didn’t want to hear anything more, as it made me feel ill! Couldn’t he have held this gossip until we were back in town? And how do we deal with our parents when get back?

— Honeymoon hangover, Winnipeg

Dear Honeymoon hangover: If he calls again, tell your best man: “Please leave us alone! We don’t know a thing about a possible new couple in the family. We’ll call you — when we’re back.” Then you and your wife can focus on your own honeymoon business.

As for the possible new couple — not to worry. There’s a good chance they were just putting on a show for the crowd, so they didn’t look so alone.

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts: I have fallen madly in love with a “wild man.” He loves birds and animals, and they love him. In fact, they live on his land near a lake. He rents much of his land to a neighbour to grow crops, but he has a caretaker and he’s out there on the weekends.

He’s often in the city, but like everybody else these days, he’s also working remotely and can be out in the country for good spells.

I think I love him, but I’m definitely more of a city woman and I love my work. My kids are off at university now, and I’d definitely spend my summer holidays with my new guy. (We’ve planned that much.)

Miss L., I’m scared other women are going to come on to him when I’m at work in the city, because I can’t be there to fend them off. How should I handle this?

— Loving My Country Man, central Manitoba

Dear Loving: Lay out your relationship fear to your new man. He may be shocked you’re even worried. Ask him boldly what his thoughts and feelings are about getting closer with you. If he’s not looking for a deep romance, don’t invest your whole summer trying to woo him.

However, if things do get serious, work can be found all over the province, now so much of it can be done remotely, with occasional trips to a nearby town or city when needed. Don’t let your fear hold you back.

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.

Maureen Scurfield
Advice columnist

Maureen Scurfield writes the Miss Lonelyhearts advice column.

   Read full biography