DR. WALLACE: My boyfriend and I are both 19 and graduated from high school last year. We have been going together for over three years and are planning to get married. We both love each other very much, and there is little doubt in our minds that we could make it as a happy husband and wife living together in wedded bliss.

But we do have one disagreement. He wants us to go to Las Vegas to get married, once the city opens back up for business — and he would prefer that we not tell anyone about our plans in advance. After the ceremony, he wants me to return home and live with my parents, and he will live with his. We both have jobs, and he wants us to save money to buy a house and then, in a year, announce to our families and the world that we are "an old married couple."

I don't like this idea, but I do love my guy with all my heart and soul, and I want to spend the rest my life with him. I want to make him happy, but in my gut, I don't feel his plan would be the best course of action. The good news is that in these days of COVID-19, we are not planning our "road trip" anytime soon. Please give me your opinion on how you would suggest we proceed, given our situation. — Ready To Get Hitched, via email

READY TO GET HITCHED: One of the main functions of a wedding ceremony is to announce to the world that the bride and groom are united as one family and are ready to face life's challenges as a family unit. It should be a wonderful, happy experience, filled with joy and love, and shared with family and friends.

Therefore, my suggestion is that you don't elope. I see no reason to get married in secret and then hide the fact by living with your respective parents. Use this unique time of social distancing to distance yourself from this idea. Once the time is right for the two of you to have a wedding that includes your family and friends, I trust you will enjoy that day much more than a day you married in stealth.

BRISK WALKING HAS VALUE

DR. WALLACE: I believe the time in my life has finally arrived where I am ready to get going on an exercise kick. I'm going out of my mind in self-quarantine at home! I'd like to start up by either jogging or walking briskly. Which do you recommend to get me going at first, and why? — Stricken With Cabin Fever, via email

STRICKEN WITH CABIN FEVER: My research on this topic over the years has indicated that brisk walking gives you virtually the same kind of benefits as jogging, but it just takes a little longer to achieve them. Furthermore, brisk walking has some distinct advantages. Walking briskly burns about 300 calories per hour, which builds endurance in a very similar way that you would via jogging. Brisk walking tones muscles — especially the legs, hips and buttocks. In addition, brisk walking is virtually injury-free, especially compared with jogging or running.

I must admit that I might be a bit prejudiced regarding brisk walking, as it is my personal favorite form of aerobic exercise. I have been known to walk up to 4 miles every morning, even when I'm away from home!

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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