Q. Dear Abby: I have been in an on-again/off-again relationship with a man for 16 years — more on than off. We have two boys together. He recently moved back in, and things are going well.

We’re in our 30s, and I’m ready to be more than girlfriend and boyfriend. I’d like to ask this special man in my life to marry me, but I’m not sure if a woman should ever propose marriage to a man. Should I go ahead and do it, or just be patient and hope that one day he will ask me to take the next big step? — Longing for More in Texas

A. Dear Longing for More: By all means, ask him to formalize your relationship. After 16 years and two children, you deserve to know where the relationship is going. And when you do, mention that you’d like him to go to the altar willingly — before the boys are big enough to hog-tie and drag him there to make an “honest woman” of their mother.

Ex makes petty request

Q. Dear Abby: My ex-husband is remarrying. We have always tried to be civil toward each other because of our daughter, who is 16. I try to be the bigger person in dealing with him in order to set a good example for her.

He called her after not having called her in several weeks and told her that if she wants to be in his wedding, I (meaning me) should purchase her dress. I thought it was inappropriate for him not only to tell her that, but also to expect me to pay for it.

When I remarried years ago, I never would have dreamed of asking him for money for her attire. My daughter even thinks this is unrealistic.

Do you agree? — Ex in Illinois

A. Dear Ex: You said you try to keep things positive to set a good example for your daughter. While I agree your ex’s demand that you pay for the dress is petty (and cheap), be the bigger person one more time and buy it for her if she wishes to participate rather than argue about it.

Offensive gifts

Q. Dear Abby: I have been a vegetarian and anti-fur advocate for many years.What would be the proper response when someone gives me an item with real animal fur or genuine leather?

Is it acceptable for me to use this as an opportunity to educate the person on the horrors of fur fashions? — Veggie in New York

A. Dear Veggie: Good manners dictate that you graciously thank the giver and then, if you wish, give the gift a respectful, private burial or regift it to a carnivore.

© 2012 Universal Uclick 7/11