Views: Forgot a holiday? You can still make it up to her

Dear Diana,

I screwed up.

We all know Valentine’s Day was last week and I’ve been with my girlfriend for three years, so I didn’t think I needed to make a big deal out of it like I did when we were first dating.

Apparently I was wrong and she’s pretty mad. What should I do?

- In the dog house

Dear Dog House,

You’re right, you screwed up.

Not all girls care if you do something big for Valentine’s Day, or any “Hallmark” event for that matter, but if you have been with your girl for three years, you should probably know that she expected something.

How bad are we talking here? Absolutely nothing? No flowers, card, special dinner? It sounds like you have some making up to do – and it might take some effort.

Think of something that she’s really wanted to do, or some gesture that you know would mean a lot to her.

Explain to her that you are a guy and therefore don’t have much of a romantic gene, but you want to make it up to her.

She may not forgive you right away, but she will see that you put the effort in now and truly feel bad.

P.S.: Write a personal handwritten letter straight from your heart as a bonus. It will melt hers.

- Diana

Dear Diana,

I am one of five girls living in a house.

We are all pretty close and I thought we told each other everything.

When we got back from winter break, one girl had moved out all of her stuff and left a note saying she moved to Florida with her boyfriend.

Now that the shock has gone away, we are dealing with legal issues because she isn’t paying her rent and it has become our responsibility. What do we do?

- Roommateless

Dear Roommateless,

First of all, what a horrible move on that girl’s part.

If she was thinking about moving out, she should have talked to you all beforehand.

She also wouldn’t have just up and left. Since salvaging this “friendship” would not be my main concern, I would go to your landlord immediately and explain what happened, because you and your other roommates are going to get screwed over in the end with her back-rent.

Hopefully, your landlord will be cool with the situation and only deal with her.

You didn’t say whether or not you keep in touch with her, but from the sounds of it, communication is pretty much cut off.

If you get the chance to talk to her again, first explain that you are not taking responsibility for her carelessness – and if you guys can remain civil after that, express to her how it made you feel when she put you and the other three girls in this predicament.

Maybe then a friendship will remain – but as for now, I’d just focus on not getting billed for her mistake!

- Diana

Send your questions to Diana at advice@cm-life.com