relationships

Monday is Memorial Day, and for some of you, that means a three-day weekend! These minivacation gems can be much-needed breaks in a couple's hectic schedule, so instead of packing the time full of errands, trips, and stress-inducing activities, why not keep it mellow and romantic? Here are three love-filled ways to spend your three-day weekend:

Spend the Day in Bed
Not gettin' busy, per se, but just snuggling up and being lazy. "Activities" can include watching TV, enjoying breakfast and coffee in bed, catching up on your magazine/book reading, and browsing the Internet together.

Take a Walk Down Memory Lane
Visit a place that has sentimental value to the two of you, maybe somewhere you haven't been in a long time. It could be a frozen yogurt shop where you shared a meaningful date or a park where you had your first kiss. Whatever it is, it'll be a sweet time for reminiscing.

Have a Movie Marathon
Rent a stack of your favorite DVDs, pop some popcorn, and cozy up on the couch for a flick fest. You could go with a series (Harry Potter would be my choice!), a back and forth between his picks and yours, or just a "best of" collection that includes favorites you and your honey have seen together.

How do you like to spend a romantic three-day weekend?

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community. Add your advice in the comments!

I've been with someone for about six months now, and things have been going well. He's affectionate, caring, and respectful. The thing is, I get nervous when he starts talking about the future. Our future. He talks of how he's never felt this way before and marriage and so on. Which all sounds great, but I've been with men in the past who have said the exact same lines, only to find out that those lines were empty and meaningless. So I'm definitely jaded. Should I take what my current BF says with a grain of salt? How do I know when someone actually means what they say?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice.

We're happy to present this article from our partner site Yahoo! Shine:

We've all heard of sleepwalking. And there are plenty of people who talk in their sleep, or even eat in their sleep. But having sex in your sleep and not remembering a thing about it afterward?

Also on Shine: 7 Tips to Encourage Better Sleep

Earlier this week, Andrew Machin, 40, was acquitted of raping a 21-year-old three years ago after the court determined that he had been asleep when he assaulted her. Though he agreed that the victim had been drinking and had not consented to having sex, he also argued that he had a 25-year history of sleep disorders, including having sex with his long-time partner while asleep, and he was "disgusted" when he woke up and realized what had happened.

Read on to learn more about this rare condition.

Being a wedding guest doesn't guarantee you'll have suitors falling over you left and right, but there's a reason wedding hookups are a stereotype. Receptions tend to be full of young, single people — mostly friends and friends of friends — who have romance on the brain and a dance floor nearby. Here are 10 rules to help you succeed at a quickie courtship and ensure you don't embarrass yourself in the process.

1. Show up single. Even if your invitation welcomes a plus one, showing up without a date — even a friend date — makes it more likely you'll go home with one.
2. Ask for help. Nudge in-the-know members of the wedding party to point out potential paramours or, better yet, seat you next to them.
3. Be focused. Figure out who's single (one advantage of the dreaded singles table) and center your efforts on the one who strikes your fancy. Nothing says gauche like a girl flirting with every guy on the dance floor.
4. Speaking of the dance floor, go there. You'll have more opportunity to mingle than if you park yourself by the food table, and even if you don't meet someone, at least you'll have fun.
5. Know when to back off. If your flirtation isn't reciprocated, let it go. Being pushy is even more off-putting with a roomful of people watching.
6. Get tipsy, but don't get drunk. If it loosens you up to knock back some bubbly, fine, but don't set yourself up for slurred speech and wardrobe malfunctions.
7. Confirm single status. Before bedding down with anyone, please, confirm that he or she is single. This rule is essential when your pool of potential hookups includes the friends and family of the bride and groom.
8. Get a room, or something. Even if the entire reception has watched you flirt doesn't mean they have to witness your PDA too. Keep it classy.
9. Don't show up to the wedding brunch in your dress from the night before. Enough said.
10. Also, save the kissing and telling for later. If you want to dish with your friends about your conquest, save it for after the wedding-related festivities.

Share your tips (and your juicy wedding hookup stories) below.

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community. Add your advice in the comments!

So I met this guy online several years ago. We dated and had a long-distance relationship. Three years into the relationship, I was ready to relocate to his town. As soon as I started getting interviews in his town, he started saying that he wasn't ready for a relationship and that maybe 10 years down the road we could live in the same state. I found out he was cheating, forgave him and wanted to try counseling. But he didn't want to try counseling and broke up with me when it should have been the other way around.

I took an entire year to heal from this relationship from hell. I read a lot of self help books and started activities that I enjoyed to rebuild my self esteem. Then I decided to get back in the dating game and met an awesome man on a dating site who lived close to me. He opened doors and was nothing but a pure gentleman. We waited until three months into our relationship before becoming physical. I was so very happy with this new man and felt like what we had was special. We became intimate for the second time and afterwards he said, "I am afraid to be a boyfriend. I am not ready for a relationship. Can we just be friends?" I became furious and said some very nasty things to him. After I had cooled down, I apologized and wanted to sit down to discuss why I had been so hurt and upset. But he would not accept any form of an apology from me and refused to speak to me.

I've done everything right this time by taking the opportunity to get to know him before jumping into a relationship. I prayed over it and gave everything thoughtful contemplation. Yet things still didn't work out, and I feel like I have lost for the second time because he broke up with me when I did nothing to warrant it. I am not an emotionally unavailable woman and do want to be in a loving and committed relationship. I am hurt and frustrated that guys seem so available until the moment that they have had me. What can I do to prevent this from happening. I asked all the right questions and got "yes I want to be with you." Once he had me, I was no longer interesting!

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice.

We're happy to present this story from one of our favorite sites, The Knot. Avoiding social media pitfalls in regards to your wedding can be tricky. Here are five things to look out for!

Facebook has changed the way you plan your wedding. Here are five common social mishaps and how to avoid them from the moment you say "yes."

Related: Comebacks to the rudest wedding questions

1. Someone in your family found out on Facebook.
As soon as you change your status (woot!), there's a family member or friend who's mad they didn't get the announcement via phone.
Our advice: Before you officially change your Facebook status, call your immediate family and closest friends with the news. Other friends and not-so-close relatives might appreciate a heartfelt email with the good news and your engagement story.

Related: 10 worst real wedding nightmares

2. A so-called friend left a snarky comment on your Facebook wall about your ring photos.
Those ring photos that you posted in post engagement bliss? Apparently, a sapphire is "just not their style."
Our advice: Take the high road and ignore the comment. This would be the perfect time to clean closet and hide this person from your feed. (PS: We think sapphires are stunning.)

Related: 10 ways to ruin a wedding

3. People assume they're invited to your wedding because you're Facebook friends.
For some, it's hard to draw the line between friend and Facebook friend. Those who aren't invited will inevitably post on your wall about their wedding invitation that's lost in the mail.
Our advice: Refrain from sharing every detail of your wedding on Facebook. If (and when) you get the self-invited guest post on your wall, let them know that your venue and budget can only allow for a certain number of guests. (Hint: It's not them.)

Related: 25 unusual honeymoon hot spots

4. Some think that Facebook is the new RSVP card.
It's hard to believe but we've heard of more than one couple who's received a casual, "We'll be there. And so will our four-plus guests," Facebook message.
Our advice: Respond by asking them to return their card (that one with the stamp). This would also be the perfect time to politely inform them that you've reserved two seats in their honor and can't wait to party together on your wedding day.

Related: Secrets to a fun wedding reception

5. Facebook has made prewedding party privacy a thing of the past.
The bridal shower photos that were posted by your maid of honor might have a third cousin peeved because she didn't get an invite. And those bachelorette pics from your not-so-innocent Vegas trip gave everyone from your office a good laugh.
Our advice: Everyone loves sharing photos from wedding events — you'll have tons of fun ones throughout your engagement. Create a wedding group on Facebook from the beginning to avoid hurt feelings and oversharing.

— The Editors of TheKnot.com

This question is from a Group Therapy post in our community. Add your advice in the comments!

I have a big dilemma. I used to date this guy and the things weren't going in the direction I was hoping, so I ended it. He seemed sort of emotionally unavailable and always stressed out regarding his work status (are they going to renew his post doc contract?, for how long?, etc.). I am looking for a committed, stable guy. He seems to be a nice man, but the major problem here is his work. He works on a contract, which ends the end of August. He is a post doc fellow who is hoping to land a permanent position in his field once his post doc ends. However, he comes from a different country and even though he has his permanent residency status here solved, unless he lands a permanent position in his field here, he will be looking for one in his country of origin. I don't think he is even remotely interested in taking a job that is out of his field, he would much rather go back to his country.

I am confused and even though I like him, I feel that at this moment it's the best we just stay friends. However, he approached me yesterday saying that he does not want to be just friends, that he really likes me and want us to start a real relationship again, but this time a better one, which means more committed. I am really confused. I would be most comfortable with us just being friends until I see that things changed and he really is more committed as he says he is. What's the best answer to give him? If he really likes me, is he going to accept the "friendship only" pace I am willing to take right now?

Have a dilemma of your own? Post it anonymously in Group Therapy for advice.