Today's mailbox is full of letters about choking, sexual addiction and living together.

MARK: I went to the wedding of a close friend. I had a fantastic time! The ceremony was both life-affirming and love-affirming. After several years of working hard toward a new career and achieving my goal, I realized that night that it was time for me to get back into the dating world.

After the reception, I met a couple of women at a nearby lounge. We talked quite a bit and enjoyed a great Beatles tribute band. While driving them to their car later on, I learned that Courtney, the lady I was interested in, had recently gone through her second divorce. She said she was tired of getting her heart broken and was taking a break from relationships.

Because I didn't want to come off as some pushy, unthinking jerk, I didn't ask for her phone number and we parted ways. It was 15 minutes later when I was back in my hotel room that I reconsidered the situation. I should have given Courtney my phone number or email and told her, "If and when you're ready to date again, let me know and maybe we can get together."

To use a sports phrase, I choked. I have no excuses; I've just been out of practice for too long. My goal is to keep an open eye, ear and mind toward possible opportunities. Let's hope I don't choke again.

JOHN: In my opinion, men claim to be sex addicts to excuse their behavior.

I cheated, but I was not addicted to sex. I was just a lousy husband. When I learned to value my family and wife over my own selfishness, I took control over my life. I stopped everything cold turkey and have been happily married ever since.

CHASE: I'd like to say something in favor of living together. Say I had given a girl a year or two of serious dating. We shared weekends and holidays, vacationed together, etc. If she declined to move in with me and had nothing meaningful to say about why, I might feel like I was wasting my time on a girl who wanted the attention and the chase more than a life with me.

Anyone who looks around will see some married couples who lack commitment and some unmarried couples who are 100 percent devoted. Matrimony is not a great indicator of a relationship's longevity, success or overall health.

Rather than tooting my own horn on the wedding day and marking anniversaries privately, I'm inclined to play down day one and celebrate landmark anniversaries with friends and family. Some weddings are a lot like a prom but with more expensive drinks spilling on more expensive clothes.

Staying together for decades changes your life and proves things that saying "I do" simply cannot. Most people will have more money, more family and more friends to celebrate with in 10 years than they have on day one. Most people will also gain some perspective and prioritize other things ahead of lavish costumes and open bars.

I would much rather celebrate an unmarried couple's 10th anniversary than a new couple's wedding day.

Is there such a thing as sexual addiction? Send your tale, along with your questions and problems to [email protected]. And check out my e-book, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."