She Wants You, but Does She Love You?

August 22, 2005

Question

Hi Dr Love. I am sorry if I am not 18 but I needed to ask you something. I am 17 and I live in South America Ecuador.

Four months ago I met a girl of 13... and her family is strict and they don't permit her to have friends. I am her  boyfriend now and we have been for 2 months... But I don't know what to do ... I do feel I love her but she does things that make me think she doesn't... I am not asking her to love me... but she says 'I want you.' Want is something like love.... but it sounds weird in English.

Many times I have told her that I want to break up because of her attitude but she starts crying and telling me she does feels something strong for me but she acted strange when we were together a few times (I can't see her very often). She is not a girl that likes details. I mean she is not detailist with me...

I like receiving letters and things like that but I don't want to make her think I want one from her because I want it to come from her because she wants to, not because I asked for it. Well I would appreciate an opinion and suggestion from you. Thanks and good luck.


Answer

The first thing that I see is that your relationship is very strained because you can't see each other often. Obviously this girl likes you, but because her parents are restricting her ability to see, she is very likely holding back her feelings. It would be terribly painful for her to allow herself to fall for you completely and then have to face not being able to be with you.

So, I think she is putting herself on ice as a form of self-protection. You seem to be taking her self-restraint as a sign that she doesn't care for you. I sense that you threaten to break up as a test of her love. Then when she becomes upset at the threat of losing you, you become temporarily reassured, but the reassurance is short lived and the cycle starts all over again.

You also seem to be playing games rather than being direct with her. Waiting to see if she likes you enough to write you letters, rather than telling her directly what you want is a game. She isn't a mind reader and would have no way of knowing that you would like to receive letters unless you tell her.

The only way for the two of you to have a relationship is to be honest. Tell her how you feel about her. Ask her if she is holding back as a form of self-protection. Then talk about how the two of you can go forward given the situation. Would it be possible to speak with her parents and obtain their permission to date her?

It's going to be difficult to develop a tie with her without her parents' support. The only hope for your relationship is total and complete honesty and self-disclosure on both your parts. Good luck. This is a tough situation.

- Doctor Love


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