Dear Cheryl: My best friend, Mindy, has been in a relationship with Andy for six months. Ever since they started going out, he's been pushing me and Mindy's other friends away from her. We barely talk to her. It's awkward hanging out with them, especially when they're making out.

He's very clingy and sees her at least once a day. I think their relationship is going down a dangerous road. We've all tried to tell her that, but she doesn't listen. They go to different colleges, but Andy wants to change schools to be with her. He has said that he wants to spend the rest of his life with her. I'm afraid Mindy is going to meet someone new and Andy will become a stalker.

Mindy and Andy are 18 and 20, respectively. I don't want to see her throw away her life. But I don't know what to do. She is my best friend, and I don't want her to get hurt. I've tried talking to her about him, but she ends up in tears, saying, "I get one new friend, and no one likes him, and they don't want to be with me anymore." — Scared Friend

Dear Scared Friend: All friendships go through an adjustment when one friend becomes seriously involved. Mindy's relationship with Andy is still in the hot-and-heavy stage, so give them time to themselves.

You haven't indicated any dangerous behavior on Andy's part, so I wouldn't worry about him becoming a stalker. If you're really Mindy's friends, all you can do is continue trying to make time to see her when she's not with Andy and be there for her if it doesn't work out. Hopefully Mindy will learn that boyfriends come and go but friends are forever!

Dear Cheryl: I'm 54 years old. Last winter, I was on class-reunion website looking up old friends. I thought nothing of it until weeks later when I got an email that someone wanted to talk to me. It was Peter, an old boyfriend. I couldn't believe it.

We started emailing, and he finally he told me he's married and travels a lot. (I'm divorced.) We met at a bar and had some drinks. It ended with hugs and a few kisses. Flash-forward, and a year has gone by. I'm so depressed that we can't be together. I cry constantly.

I met a nice divorced man who wants to take me to dinner. I'm going to go, but all I can think about is Peter. I ache to be with him. I always told myself I'd be happy seeing him once a month, but all we do is text and email.

I need to get on with my life. Please tell me something to make me forget him. — Stuck

Dear Stuck: Sit down with a piece of paper and a pen. Draw a vertical line down the middle of the paper. On one side, write "Peter"; on the other write "Potential Relationship." On Peter's side, write all the things that are wrong with him, like "married," "unwilling and unable to give anything other than emails," "dead-end," "unhappiness," "shame," etc. Under "Potential Relationship," write everything good that could come out of one, such as "happiness," "fresh start," "pride," etc.

Every time you start fantasizing about Peter and what could have been, take out the list.

Got a problem? Send it, along with your questions and rants to [email protected]. And check out my e-book, "Dear Cheryl: Advice from Tales from the Front."