Help! I've Created a Monster (Girlfriend)

Dear Brenda,

I have been dating this wonderful girl for about 6 months now. Our relationship is definitely going strong, and I do love her very much. We are very open with each other, and talk mature about problems that we have. The only thing is that sometimes I feel like I am walking on egg shells when I talk to her. Last night she was picking up her brand new car and she definitely wanted me there. I definitely wanted to be there with her too. I took off work early around 4:30 and got to her house. We then made our way to the dealership with her mother and father. The last day of the month is hectic at car dealerships due to salesmen trying to fill their quotas and what not. Anyway, we were there until about 10:30pm. Her parents took us out to eat afterwards and everything went downhill from there.

I have been feeling really under the weather, bad runny nose, sneezing, etc. We drove in her new car for about a half an hour heading back to where we lived (we live about a mile from each other). She wanted to go out driving more, but by this time it was already almost midnight. I really wanted to be with her, but I told her that I kinda wanted to go home to get some rest because I had to be at work early tomorrow.

All of a sudden, she got really quiet. She was pissed that I didn't want to go for a drive. I felt really bad, and I was pretty quiet myself. I then told her that I would go for a drive for a little bit, but that was already too late. I already made a stupid mistake. I told her that I would love to go for a drive today with her, but she said in a very stern voice: "Sorry, Got plans, remember?" So we kissed and said good-bye.

This morning I wrote her a little note apologizing and placed it on her new car so she will get it by the end of today. Did I do something stupid? I know that she was excited, and I was too for her. I guess she just wanted to be with me with her new car, and I blew it. Am I being too hard on myself, am I being reasonable, unreasonable?
- gladiator16

Dear gladiator16,

I would think if she grasped the concept of what love is (to you), then your girlfriend's first concern would be getting you home early, especially if she knew that you weren't feeling well. It's not like she isn't going to have the car for a few years. So think about this: By kissing her bum when she gets pouty, you are giving her permission to continue that sort of behavior. So you need to break that habit ASAP, if only to preserve your sanity and well-being. Tell her politely but firmly that you'll make it up to her later, that you arent feeling well, that you have to get up early, then go home and get some rest. Just communicate clearly. If she can't comprehend that, then she might need to grow up a bit. Think about how you would have treated her if the situation were reversed. I'm assuming you would want to take care of her. That's how I see it.

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