ANNIE’S MAILBOX: Pet names bother sister

By Kathy Mitchell and Marcy Sugar

Dear Annie: I have a beautiful younger half-sister. “Emma” is 25 and has had a hard life. Her father left us when Emma was small, and my mom struggled.

A year ago, after a whirlwind courtship, Emma married an extremely wealthy Italian businessman, “Gino,” is 30 years her senior. I really like Gino. He’s friendly and kind and generous to my family. He adores Emma, and she loves him.

The problem? Although Gino calls Emma by the usual pet names, she calls him “Papa” and “Daddy,” and it makes me really uncomfortable. I spoke to her about it, and she thought it was funny. But she also said she calls him those names because he makes her feel safe and protected. She mentioned that she even uses those names when they make love.

When I asked Gino, he said those names comfort Emma. He is amused by them and claims these pet names aren’t hurting anyone.

I realize Emma probably sees Gino as the father figure she never had. My husband says it’s none of our business. Am I off base?

Prudish Sis

Dear Sis: This seems OK to us. Emma may see Gino as a father figure, but that is not necessarily unhealthy. The names don’t seem to bother Emma or Gino, who apparently love and care for each other. Your husband is right. It’s not your business.

Dear Annie: My husband and I attended a wedding last fall. It was a second wedding. It was a three-hour drive, and we arrived only to discover the chapel was too small to accommodate all the invited guests.

Since we were unable to see the ceremony, we signed the guest book, left our present and returned home. A week later, my husband received a text message from the bride, thanking “everyone who made our day so special.” It was a mass text. Is this the newest way of blowing off thank-you notes?

Just Curious in the Midwest

Dear Midwest: Based on that text message, it would seem so. It’s still early enough for the bride and groom to write each guest a personal note once they’ve returned from their honeymoon and had an opportunity to go through the gifts. Let’s hope so.

Dear Annie: This is in response to “Kentucky,” who asked what to do with her mother’s vintage wedding dress.

Threads of Love (threadsoflove.org) can use donated or recycled wedding gowns to make into bereavement gowns for preemie babies who die. The organization also sews, knits and crochets blankets, caps, diaper shirts, burp cloths, positioning aids, lovie dolls and much more. It’s very rewarding for those who love to share their talents with others.

Jan in Alabama

Dear Jan: That is a lovely and comforting suggestion. We also heard about the Mary Madeline Project (marymadelineproject.org), which also turns wedding gowns into burial gowns for families that have suffered the loss of an infant.

Creators Syndicate