Dear Dr. Laura,

As a teenager I listened to your show and read "10 Stupid Things Women Do to Mess Up Their Lives." When I was 28, I met a teacher that I fell hard for. He was fun, loving, affectionate, and everything I wanted. About 3 months into the relationship, I started learning things about him that made me start to think he wasn't someone I wanted to be with long term. His family was a mess, he had severe debt, and drank more than I was comfortable with. The final straw was when he told me he cheated on me but was really sorry, and he only did it because he was drunk.

As I cried that night alone, thinking about what I was going to have to do, your voice popped into my head. I knew I had to get rid of this guy. I kept thinking "what would Dr. Laura say," I knew you’d be disappointed, and I knew there was no way I would have a future with someone like this. As sad as I was, after this very short relationship, I broke up with him.  I cut all ties completely. In the months following the breakup, I was sad, but never once did I second guess my decision. I fell in love with the idea of this perfect guy, but it wasn't reality, and when I found that out, I left.

I'm now 33 and engaged to a wonderful man. I'm getting married a little later than most people, but waiting to find the right guy was worth the wait. My advice to other young women is don't settle. When you know he isn't the one, don't stay, thinking something will change. I'd rather be alone and know that better things are possible, than stay with a loser and know that better things will NEVER be possible.

Keep up the good work!

Love,

Kate