Why the Jaycee Dugard snark? She was 11 when she was kidnapped, and held for 18 *years.* What's with the People Magazine readers snark? Those who also sympathize with Jaycee Dugard are dumb People-magazine readers? Ridiculous and reprehensible. I read Dugard's book (in between issues of People) and what…

OMG that takes the cake. I hope you are better now...and that your dad got a clue.

Shucks. I went through a devastating breakup at 48 (8 years ago), met the love of my life 3 months later and we are getting married next year.

I disagree. I don't think one year is enough.

My mother is the complete opposite of yours! She never, ever wanted me to date, I think so she could have someone to look down on (me and my singlehood). Anytime I did get a boyfriend she couldn't stand it. I finally stopped telling her when I did or didn't have a boyfriend.

Your sister is the worst. Are you sure she doesn't comment on Jezebel? Kidding, but not by much (referring to some of the commenters on this piece)

Commenters wouldn't be this angry at Brett Ashley if they weren't afraid or ashamed about something in themselves. I'm convinced of it.

I am so sorry!!! I have been there! I had a sudden breakup (we never fought, he kept me in roses and I-love-you's all the time) in 2004 and I never understood, except that he kept saying "I'm fucked up" (he meant he was the one who was fucked up) What I think happened was that his attraction really was that…

Apparently, half the commenters on this piece.

I'm a second-waver. I have had a lifetime to think about whether it's good for the world to move beyond that conventional, old-fashioned kind of thinking, not in a combative way, but for good and important reasons. Not because anything's wrong with taking one's husband's last name, or even engagement rings. Believe…

My favorite thing to say is "I know this Polish restaurant. It's dumpling night."

I'm so sorry. I hope this isn't wrong to say but I always say, "His loss." Those friends who have picked him? Their loss too.

Ugh, I wanna talk some painful sense into both of your moms.

Owwwwwwwwww that's gotta hurt. I'm dealing with some of that right now (not on the job, but in a volunteer group) but nothing compared to what you describe. My sympathies!

I'm so sorry about your dad.

What exactly did he mean, I wonder, as far as the type of woman he thought guys would want for a long-term relationship? Short, non-blonde, and without a big rack? Not that anything's wrong with any of those traits. But why did he seem to think that these traits automatically equal "guys won't want a serious…

Speak for yourself. I liked learning more about what not to say and why. And I care about the author's breakup.

Not getting married also speaks to how serious the relationship was. A common perception (and often correct one) is that one or both parties never expected to stay in it for the long haul

I'm guessing Li'l Bow Wow could sue her.

Anybody else here ever been swarmed by Critical Mass (bicycle riders kinda doing the same thing)? They ride in many cities on the last Friday of the month, and kinda act like a mob, lane split, filter forward on the right, huge packs of 100 or more bicycles, not in an orderly group ride like elite bicyclists, but…