Dear Cahn,

HELP! My mom’s best friend’s son confessed his feelings for me. I have known his mom and him my whole life. Our families spend holidays, vacations, and even dinners together. He even gives me rides to places.  One day, while he was driving me to my pickleball practice, he said he needed to ask me something after my practice. I disregarded it at first, because I thought he was just gonna ask for the homework answers or something. However, as I was walking to his car after my practice, I saw him holding a bouquet of red roses. As I got closer, I noticed he was also holding up a huge sign that read “Prom-ise me you will go to Prom with me? P.S. you are the LOML (Love of my life).” I kid you not, I thought I was being pranked. I looked around for cameras and everything. On top of the corny sign, he invited BOTH of our moms to this proposal of his. Out of embarrassment, I said yes. However, it continued to get worse. When I got home, my mom even showed me the binder she made of him and I’s future wedding. The problem is, I don’t really like him and see him more as a brother. I am scared that I am already in too deep. What should I do?

Sincerely, 

Ms. Lovetrapped

Dear Ms. Lovetrapped,

Feelings are complicated.  I do agree inviting both your moms to a Prom-posal is a little corny. However, to be cringe is to be free, as they say. Your mom is definitely jumping the gun a little bit with the whole wedding thing. Though I understand not wanting to hurt your friend’s feelings, honesty is still the best policy. People go to Prom with their friends ALL the time. This is not a new idea whatsoever. However, it is important that you make these feelings clear to him, and to your mom. You do not want to risk leading him on, and hurting him in the end. Perhaps you could make it clear that you will be his date, but not his life partner. You could be the love of his NIGHT, but not the love of his LIFE. It is understandable for him to be hurt by this information, and I advise you to not tell other people about this rejection. However, you should probably still tell your mom so she can stop the wedding planning. It might also be beneficial to tell him that there are other fish in the sea, and that you could even set him up with one of your friends. Perchance, one of them can be his Prom date. He seems like a pretty courteous man, so I’m sure he will be very popular amongst the ladies. You got this Ms. Lovetrapped!

With Love,

Cahn Soltayshine

Dear Cahn,

AITA for being the biggest klutz in school? It’s genuinely gotten to a point of embarrassment and shame. Every time I take hold of a water bottle, it inexplicably seems to gain a coat of something that feels like butter in my slippery hands. My friends call me “butterfingers”, and I just don’t know what to do. I am so scared I will one day drop a valuable thing to which I have been entrusted the safety of. Please help! What are some strategies I can implement to stop shattering all my possessions!

Sincerely,

Butterfingers

Hey Butters, 

NTA, you just tend to drop things more than others, and that is okay. Everyone is a little unique. It still seems like you are in a serious pickle right now. Even though I do not have much experience with this, I can imagine how rough it might be for you. Perhaps you should get a pair of really sticky gloves. I know in handball they use a kind of sticky resin to hold onto the ball. Perchance you could get a hold of this sticky resin that they use. Another idea could be for you to join a handball team, so you get experience with not dropping things. Unfortunately, we do not have one at our school. However, you could start one. I am sure many of my fellow Ripples staff would LOVE to join a handball team. Additionally, you could put some Elmer’s glue (not sponsored) onto your items, so you do not drop them as much. Remember to not use too much. As the saying goes, just a dot, not a lot. Hope this helps you out Butters!

XOXO,

Cahn Soltayshine