Democracy Dies in Darkness

‘Wise’ friend just ditched marriage for two-day affair. Hax readers give advice.

She blindsided her husband and left him for a guy she just met. How does the letter writer stay friends with her after that?

6 min
Illustration by Nick Galifianakis for The Washington Post (The Washington Post)
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We asked readers to channel their inner Carolyn Hax and answer this question. Some of the best responses are below.

Dear Carolyn: I’m struggling to know how (or even if?) I should stay friends with my friend who suddenly announced she no longer wants to be married, refused any counseling beyond (brief) divorce mediation and moved away to a nearby city. She completely blindsided and devastated her husband (primary parent) — and her barely-adult kids. I thought we were close and honest with each other, but everything about this is the opposite of what she’d told me about herself and her values.

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