Dear Reverend,
I have had plenty of great relationships in the past, but I’ve been a happily single person for many years now. I am totally content, but it seems like my best friend doesn’t believe me. It doesn’t happen every time we hang out, but fairly often the conversation goes to if, when or whom I’m going to start dating. I usually play it off with a laugh, but it’s really starting to get on my nerves. How do I make her stop bringing it up?
Sally Tarrey (woman, 39)
Dear Sally Tarrey,
Having a best friend with whom you can talk about anything is wonderful. Setting boundaries for subjects you want to keep off the table can be tricky, but it sounds like that’s what you need to do.
The next time she starts talking about you dating, don’t brush it off so casually. You need to be serious about how much it bothers you that she keeps harping on the subject. Be honest and firm but not too brusque about it.
Simply say that, while you appreciate her concern about your love life, it’s not her topic to bring up in conversation. Let her know that if you ever do decide to get into the dating game, she’ll be at least the third person to know about it.
Hopefully, that will be enough for your pal to nix the dating questions. If you think she may slip, you could impose a penalty of some sort. Get her to agree that if she brings it up again, she has to take you out on a date and foot the bill.
Good luck and God bless,
The Reverend
This article appears in Love & Marriage Issue • 2026.