Dear Dennis,
My son is a freshman and he hasn’t returned my FaceTime calls for a whole week. He always says he’s busy. I want him to have fun, but I’m nervous that he is ignoring school. How do I tell him I’m there for him without making him embarrassed?
From,
Concerned Mom
To Concerned Mom,
As hard as it may be for you, it’s probably as hard for him. Freshman year is about self-discovery, friends, and finding your place in what’s considered the beginning of the rest of your life. As a college kid and the brother of five sisters, I see both sides. My sisters are my heart and I worry about them every day, but I also know that if I get too clingy, they will become exhausted.
Your love for him is definitely not forgotten. I rarely see a Penn student forgetting the hard work that they have to put in for a better future. I usually am good at helping these kids remember what really matters at the end of the day. I got you, honey! He will come around and when he does, the space and time given will be well worth it.
Love,
Dennis
Dear Dennis,
My best friend told me she saw my boyfriend on Tinder. I thought maybe he just never deleted his profile because we only started dating a few months ago. But he’s been really distant, and lately I feel like I have to beg him just to hang out with me. Do you think he’s cheating on me? How can I bring this up with him without making things super awkward?
From,
Worried Girlfriend
To Worried Girlfriend,
GIRL, I’ve heard this one before and it’s something that’s a bit tricky. It’s one thing if your friend saw him on Tinder, but he's still around you. It’s another when he’s also being distant! My advice to you is to ask yourself if is this worth the begging and confronting. For closure purposes, I would at least hang out with him and tell him how you feel, and if he’s not receptive, then he should know where the door is. I would avoid sending multiple text messages. No one should have to pry emotions out of someone they’ve been dating for a few months.
A women's intuition is usually accurate. Trust yourself and if you're going to confront him, don’t do it where you’re pushing him into a corner. Let him know how his distance makes you feel and keep it at that. In the end, we as humans, think about the what ifs and tend to want to explore all paths. You will find a guy who would turn his Tinder off the moment you both solidified an exclusive relationship.
Love,
Dennis
DENNIS MORRIS is one of Penn's most well-known faces. He is the star barista of the 39th Street Starbucks. If you want Dennis to weigh in on any issue going on in your personal life, email letters@thedp.com with "Second Opinion" in the subject line, or fill out the Google form above.
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