Strawberry Letter

Dear Steve and Shirley, this isn’t a typical letter about cheating. I am in my mid 30s and I’ve been single for too long. I’m a nurse and I meet a lot of great men at work, but I'm not having any luck in love. When I meet a guy, I’m optimistic and not expecting him to play games just to have sex with me. I’m the type to text right back, return calls and show up early for a date. My girlfriends say I catch feelings too quick and I’m a hopeless romantic............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 37 year old single lady and I work with a married couple that gets on my last nerve. They’re the most happy couple in the world and they love to rub their relationship in everyone’s faces. We’ve all recently returned to the office and our boss let them share an office. They love to announce to everyone that they’re going to lunch and they walk around holding hands at all times and making flirty gestures when they’re around us................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am best friends with the stupidest guy in the world. He’s been dating a woman for one year and he’s ready to give her the keys to the kingdom. He’s a successful realtor and he has a nice home and 2 cars. She has access to both cars and a key to the house. Before you think I’m jealous, I am married and this is my husband best friend that’s like family to us........... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m married to a wonderful man that is 13 years older than I am. He is my everything and in the beginning of our marriage, we were very active and traveled a lot. Now it’s like he’s settled into being old and boring and I can barely get him to take a walk with me. I asked him if he was depressed and advised him to see a doctor. He went to the doctor and got a clean bill of health. We used to enjoy a martini in the evening to unwind and reconnect, but lately he’s turned to drinking brown liquor and I’ve noticed a change in him................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I need your advice because my daughter is in love with a country bumpkin. She is 24 years old and she got engaged recently and she brought her fiancé to town to meet my husband and I. As soon as they got out of the pickup truck, I thought WTH is this? He is a true country bumpkin. He has his GED because he dropped out of high school to work on his family’s farm. My daughter has a Master’s Degree and a promising career............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m married to my high school sweetheart but we have only been married for 4 years. After high school, we went our separate ways and he was married for 20 years and had 3 kids with his wife. I was married for 13 years and I got a divorce and was raising my 2 children alone, when I reconnected with my high school sweetheart. We blended our families and picked right back up where we left off in high school.................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I have been sad for a while now and I’m seeking advice on how to move past this situation. I have been in a relationship for 6 years with a married man that was loving and attentive and treated me like a priority at all times. We live about an hour away from each other and he would make a point to see me weekly and take me on business trips with him and weekend outings whenever he could................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I have a confession to make and I know I can count on Steve to give it to me straight. I’m a divorced female and I work as a corporate trainer. I’m 49 years old and I have one daughter and a granddaughter. Last fall, I was called to train staff at an insurance agency. One of the male trainees got my attention and asked me for a business card before I left. He left a message on my office phone and invited me to dinner the next night. I knew he was a bit younger than I am, but I was flattered and went on a date with him.................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley. My wife had a friend that she was friends with for many years and she stopped being her friend because a non-credible person told my wife that her friend was talking about her. My wife fell out with her friend and since then, she talks bad about the friend and she gets mad if I tell her what she’s saying is not true. I learned quickly to take my wife’s side and I even added a few choice words about the old friend, so my wife would think I was on her side................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 29 year old single man and I’m in a bad situation. My cousin is a pilot and because he’s always out of town, he’s basically got women in every city. My cousin also has a girlfriend of 5 years and he has been talking about marrying her. She’s a successful 29 year old woman that really loves my cousin and they have a great relationship, other than the fact he cheats a lot. I’ve warned my cousin about getting sloppy with cheating and taking pictures with the women.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I was released from state prison a few months ago. While in prison for 23 months, I thought my girlfriend had my back and we’d get married when I came home. Boy was I wrong and I came home to a situation that was worse than prison. I was released to my own home, with my girlfriend, who has been staying in my home while I was in prison. It was supposed to be a joyous homecoming, but instead, I walked into hell........................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I'm 28 years old and I live with my fiancé that’s 32 years old. We have one child together and he will be the stepfather to my son from a previous relationship. I love this man with every bit of my heart and soul. He is an amazing father and an amazing man, but here's the problem. We've had issues where exes have texted his phone and I found out about it and I brought it to his attention. He still has them as Facebook friends as well.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, when you read my letter, I know you are going to think my boyfriend and I are young, but I am 43 and he is 48. We’ve been dating for 2 years and he is extremely intelligent. We both love the Lord and we have stable careers. So, here’s the problem. I still go out with my girlfriends and maintain a social life. Whenever I’m out, I’m not constantly checking my phone because I want to stay present with my friends.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m in my early thirties and I’m eager to meet a nice man and settle down one day. But in meantime and in-between time, I was keeping myself entertained in online chat rooms and online dating. I met a man that I paired perfectly with and his profile said he was 6’2” and athletic. His picture was nice but not really my type. We started chatting offline and would stay on the phone for hours.................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 29 year old woman and I was in a relationship with a 31 year old man. We both have degrees and promising careers. He came from a solid, middle class family and I was raised by a single mother, with very humble beginnings. We have been dating for 2 years and my boyfriend’s mother does not like me. He told me his mom had always tried to hook him up with successful women in town, but he was never interested. I tried to overlook her and I was pleasant whenever I was around her..................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I have a 52-year-old single mother who is a loving and giving person. Three years ago, my mom kept saying she was going to reinvent herself and dress differently so she can meet a good man. My mom has always had a lot of nice men that come in and out of her life and it breaks my heart when she gets attached and the man ends up leaving her. The current man she’s dating will never leave her because he is a big loser and he needs my mom.................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 32 year old divorced woman, who filed for divorce after only 2 years of marriage. Right after we said “I do,” I noticed a change in my husband and he could go 3 weeks without having sex with me. He kept making excuses to leave the house and would be gone for up to an hour when he left to “run a quick errand.” Then about 8 months ago, I walked in on him as he washed himself off in our bathroom sink, after he claimed he went to Dunkin for a cup of coffee................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 53-year-old single female and I’ve been casually dating a man for 3 years. His wife died 6 years ago and he’s a single dad, raising a daughter. He lives in my complex and when we met, we instantly clicked and started dating. After a few months of dating, he told me he wanted to take a break so he could focus on his daughter. That was 3 years ago and I showed support by cooking for him occasionally and showing up at some of his daughter’s basketball games.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, for the past 10 years, I have lived with a really good female friend. Over the years, we’ve shared a bed at times and we’ve had sex when it was convenient. Other than that, it was more of a roommate type of arrangement. She dated other men and I dated other women. When we were at home, we were best friends that happen to sleep in the same bed sometimes. We never had our boyfriends/girlfriends sleep over.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 29 year old woman and I need your advice on how to help a friend. She’s been in quarantine alone so all I’ve been hearing is how lonely she is. Well, here’s why… She looks a hot mess all of the time and being inside for 3 months has made it worse. I know everybody has been looking crazy since we are stuck inside, but she’s put on a few pounds and looks like she hasn’t combed her hair since March................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am 36 years old and I’ve been in a great relationship for 4 years. A year ago, I noticed a change in my man and changes in our sex life. If I initiated sex, he made up excuses like he has acid reflux and he’s scared sex might give him a heart attack. Then I saw a text on his phone that said, “I love you too.” I asked about it and he said he texted her some relationship advice and was only responding to her................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I'm a 44 year old woman who's been with a man for 5 years and he has had the same complaint for 5 years. He always whines about me knowing too many men. I was raised in the city we live in and my father was a prominent businessman and my family is well-known. When my boyfriend and I would go out, I'd run into guys that I grew up with, guys I worked with, went to high school or college with, etc. These are men that I’ve never dated or had sex with.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve And Shirley, I am a beautiful black 29 year old woman and I’m in love with a deadbeat dude but I don’t know how to get him out of my system. He’s 36 years old and we currently live with his parents. When I met him, I was the side piece for a year. I got pregnant and had nowhere to live, so he let me live in his car. His parents found out about me and they let me stay with them. Now he's divorced and our relationship is complicated. I found him at a bar with a female recently and I poured his beer on him.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 48-year-old man and my wife and I have a 23 year old daughter that graduated from college and she moved back home. She asked her mom and I if one of her school mates could live in our basement for three months. I was hesitant, but my wife coerced me to let the young man stay temporarily. He was polite at first but then he started coming upstairs and trying to engage with our family................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, my husband and I have been married for 3 years. Our marriage was going good until a year ago, when he told me he was having an affair. Shortly after we met, he told me about a female friend of his that lives out of town and she’s like a little sister to him. I met her 5 years ago when she came to town for homecoming. We got along great, but I don’t trust any females around my man............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m in my late 30s and I’m dating a man that I met at church. I found out that he talked to our pastor about me and the pastor hinted that he might be ready to propose. I got excited and decided it was time to take our relationship to the next level, meaning it was time for sex. We have been together for six months and we were friends for 2 years before we started dating. We haven’t had sex, but we sleep in the same bed a lot and I like to sleep in my underwear............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’ve been with my husband for 6 years and we’ve been married for 2 years. I have myself to blame for what I’m going through now, because it was an issue before we got married. My husband has a problem with texting and talking to other females. When I’ve addressed the issue with him, he always says “Nothing is wrong with texting and talking, as long as I’m not crossing the line or trying to date anybody.” I believe that if one of the women he talks to or texts comes on to him, that he will take them up on the offer.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I feel like I already know my answer, but I want your advice anyway. My partner and I have been dating for 7 years. Yes, seven! We are both divorced and have adult children. He is 63 and I am 49. His ex-wife and I have become good friends and she has told me that he’s a good man, but a terrible husband. We live in a big beautiful home but it’s in his name only. He treats me like a queen in front of others, but behind closed doors, he’s a different man.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, about 6 years ago, I wrote in to get some advice about a woman I was messing with. You may not recall my letter, but I’m married and I was having an affair with a lady and it was getting out of control. I was very connected with this woman and I had started paying her bills and helping her take care of her children. The children had grown fond of me and had no idea that I was married and had another life with my wife................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I love my wife very much and she is the mother of my children, but I have another woman. My wife is very beautiful and smart, but she doesn’t submit to me like my mistress does. My wife wants me to be the man of the house all of the time and when I ask her for help on certain things, she huffs and puffs. I just want a partnership with her and raise our children together.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 43-year-old woman and I have a small group of friends who have all known each other since high school. We’ve all been strict about quarantining, so we agreed to meet once a week for drinks and dinner. It’s really helped us feel better and maintain a sense of normalcy with the craziness going on in the world. About a month ago another girl we went to high school with moved back into town............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m getting married soon and I need your advice. My fiancé and I met less than a year ago and we quickly fell in love. Within six months, he proposed. I called up my bestie and asked her to be my Maid of Honor. My bestie got married last year and she moved to another state. We’ve been friends since we were 5 and she was dying to meet my fiancé. Two weeks ago she came to town and I decided to throw a small dinner party and I invited everyone that’s going to be in the wedding............ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, my husband and I have been married 4 years and the sex is terrible. We dated for 2 years before we got married and we agreed to wait until our wedding night to have sex for the first time. I was focused on us having a great friendship as well as a spiritual connection, which would lead to a great sex life. He romanced me and did things to me physically that satisfied me so I just knew he was going to be a great lover................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 30 year old man and I’m 6 feet tall and I weigh 202 pounds. I work out and eat right and take care of myself. In February, I met a beautiful woman that is a few months younger than I am. She is 5’6” and she weighs 330 pounds. I like what I like, and that happens to be big girls. She is big and soft in the right places and she’s always fly and sexy................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’ve been married for almost 2 years and I met my wife on a dating website. She was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen and when we met in person, we quickly fell in love. I came with a little baggage and she admitted that she did too. We are in our mid-forties, so we agreed that our past was the past so that’s where we’d leave it. She works as a guest service manager at an elite country club, so I can golf at the club for free.................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 32 year old female currently dating a 35 year old male and we’ve known each other for years. When he was married, I was his sidepiece. When he got divorced, I was married and he was my sidepiece. I got divorced and we decided it was time to stop playing games and become a couple. We got together and made it official four months ago. He is everything I ever wanted in a man but he has some trust issues................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’ve been dating my boyfriend for 2 years and it was really good for the first year. We spent a lot of quality time together and got to know each other by going on great dates. Now that we’ve been together a while and he’s started saying that he loves me, he feels it’s enough to make me happy. He won’t do the things he did in the beginning. I don’t get flowers anymore and he doesn’t take me to lunch like he used to................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, this is my fourth time writing you so I pray you respond this time. My daughter is leaving home for college in the fall and I’ll be an empty nester. I got divorced 12 years ago so mama is single and ready to mingle. I’ve been praying for God to send me a man and then I heard your show one morning and you were talking to your longtime friend that’s on the show about how he needs a woman.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a young, healthy and wise beyond my years single woman, that is a leader to my peers. At my young age, I have found the most handsome and amazing man of my dreams. He is respectful, has a great job, a beautiful home and he treats me like a queen. But here is the problem… well, it’s not a problem for us, it’s more of a problem for our friends and family. I am 22 years old and he is 42 years old. Now I know you are also shocked by our age difference, but I love him and believe age has nothing to do with it........... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I really need your advice for this issue I’m having. I have fallen for someone that I have never met in person. I have heard him speak almost everyday and I'm not sure if he is single, but I would love to meet him in person. I am single and ready to mingle with him if he is available. This guy makes my toes curl when I hear his voice and the icing on the cake is that he is very funny and quite handsome................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Good morning Steve and Shirley, I am 50 year old divorced lady with a 28 year old lover. We’ve been together for two years but I met him when he was in college with my son. He came home a few weekends with my son and he started calling me mom back then. After college, he continued to hang out at the house with my son, so I got used to him being around. Well on Easter Sunday, 2017, things changed in an instant, when he rubbed up against me in the kitchen and I felt some kind of way............... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, my husband acts like an absolute child at times and I can’t deal with it. It’s like having a third child and I am so tired of him embarrassing me. The most recent incident went down over the weekend at my Pastor’s house. We were invited to a barbeque and the pastor was a little late because of a wedding he had to do. There was plenty of food on the grill and we always let the elders of the church eat first. The first lady fixed the pastor a plate and sat it to the side and covered it with saran wrap............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 55 year old mother of 3 handsome boys. My youngest son is getting married, but I have an issue with his fiancé and I feel very guilty about it. I hate to be rude, but the girl he is marrying is just not that attractive at all. I know it’s none of my business because he’s the one that has to live with her, but my son is very handsome and I feel like he could do a lot better................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’m a 39 year old Latino woman, married to a 53 year old black man. We’ve been together for 7 years and we’ve been married for 3 years. We met at church and we’re both in the church choir. When we started dating, I saw an edgier side of him. He rode a motorcycle, drank Hennessey on the weekends and he cursed whenever he talked to his friends. It was different from the church man I met, but I liked it. He told me that he didn’t want to scare me away because I was his queen.............. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am in my early 30s and I'm dealing with a guy in his mid 30s. We hung out for a couple of months and he was ready to get serious, which meant it was time for me to give up the cookie. From the time I met him, I had a problem with his so-called best friend, who is a female. I’ve tried to understand the relationship and he says it’s nothing, but she spends the night at his house and he will stay at her house................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I’ve been with my girlfriend for 10 years and we’re having our first major issue. When I met my girlfriend, she was new in town, so I introduced her to my group of friends and their wives. There are 4 couples that hang out and we’ve all known each other since college. The wives were all nice enough to my girlfriend but they’ve never included her in “girls night out” or invited her to brunch with them................... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I am a 27 year old woman and I have a 1 year old son. I met his father almost 2 years ago. When we met, I assumed he was single because he approached me and spent a lot of uninterrupted time with me. Come to find out, he has been in a relationship for 8 years. It was too late to cut him off because I was already pregnant. We argued over and over again about how he lied to me and he said he never lied, he just didn’t tell me that he had a girlfriend.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I have been married for 25 years and last weekend, my wife and I took a road trip to see my wife’s dad. My wife’s mom passed away 3 years ago so her dad is still adjusting to being alone. Her dad was so happy to see us and he asked my wife to cook his favorite dinner. So when my wife started cooking, my father-in-law slipped outside and was talking to an older lady that had pulled up.................. Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, you are not going to believe this. I am 30 years old and my longtime girlfriend has an identical twin sister. I can barely tell them apart sometimes. They both have short curly afros, they both have dimples in both cheeks and their bodies are the same. My girlfriend and her twin love to prank me and confuse me since they look so much alike. Their little pranking went too far and now I want in on the fun.......... Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dear Steve and Shirley, I have been married for 15 years and my husband is an associate pastor. He has office hours at the church and the church secretary is there from 9am-5pm. I started working part-time because I wanted to buy new furniture. I work in an artsy area of town at a craft store and there are several restaurants in the area. On 2 separate occasions, my husband called me to say he’d be in the area having lunch with some people from church................ Learn more about your ad-choices at https://www.iheartpodcastnetwork.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.