Dear John, I am a married woman with two children. My husband and I have a divorced male friend, Eric, who also has children, so we often get together. Eric and I have always been able to talk to each other about anything, and we often tell each other, "I love you."

Eric has never acted inappropriately with me. However, lately, when he calls, he says things like: "You are my girlfriend," and "You have a special place in my heart." Is he telling me he values our friendship or something else? —I Need to Know in Carson City, Nev.

Dear I Need to Know, More than likely he truly appreciates your friendship and feels comfortable enough to let himself be candid about his gratitude. However, if there is an infatuation — on either of your parts — I would hope that both of you consider the big picture — which involves your husband, his friend, and your children — before either of you acted on an impulse.

If you were to take that step, it would be impossible for any of you to recapture the friendship the way it was. We look elsewhere for passion when we feel that our partners aren't responding to our emotional needs. Work to reignite the chemistry between you and your husband, and all other friendships will remain friendly but not familiar.

Dear John, How can I get my 18 year-old daughter to see that the guy she is dating is not right for her? He is 28 and has two children. —Distressed Dad in Dayton, Ohio

Dear Distressed Dad, As her parent, you've got the life experience to recognize the warning signs that may indicate the need for concern, and you want to pass along your knowledge so that she doesn't have to go through any unnecessary heartache.

At 18, she is a legal adult and, like most adults, she will want to make her own mistakes. Dad, you've done your best. At this point, you can demonstrate your ongoing support of her by being there if and when things don't go right. The best lessons are ones we learn on our own. Our fondest memories of our parents are of their unwavering support of us — despite our successes or failures.

2013 John Gray's Mars Venus Advice. Distributed by Creators Syndicate. John Gray is the author of "Men Are from Mars, Women Are from Venus." If you have a question, write John in care of this newspaper, or by E-mail at: www.marsvenus.com. All questions are kept anonymous, and will be paraphrased.