I am 17 years old and I am in love with a girl who is 18. I met her while I was attending an educational institute for high school dropouts. After a few weeks of knowing each other, we fell in love. We were loved by friends and hated by hypocrites. Many people didn't want to see us together because I was a bit different from her (educationally). But I thought we were made for each other. We have been together for two and a half years. Over the years we have been together, we have had our ups and downs. I am really ashamed to admit it, but whenever she said or did something that hurt my feelings, I would hit her. But I learned that there are no excuses for hitting a woman. I regret the fact that I hit her.

This girl is now dating a man who is 24. But the girl and I are still strongly in love. Her new boyfriend doesn't know we are still together. She tells me whenever they are going out and to my surprise, I don't get jealous. I really fear that he might leave her when he gets what he wants. Even though I promised never to hit her again, she says she is afraid of me and I don't blame her. We both have other people in our lives, but we keep our relationship a secret from our current partners. I really hope our love lasts and it turns out to be only the two of us again. Her family and friends tell me that I am the one she truly loves. She is the one I truly love also. But I don't know if I should go, or if I should stay with her and hope for us to share the love that we had.

Pastor, what should I do?

S. S., St. Catherine, Jamaica

Dear S. S.,

I suggest you leave this girl alone. You should have the courage to tell her to stay with her new boyfriend. You had your chance and you blew it. What you are encouraging her to do is wrong, so leave her alone. Just leave her alone.

Pastor