Feel bad that my girlfriend can barely read

Dear Pastor,

I am a longtime reader of your column and since you have been on the radio, I have listened to you every night. I have tried to call you, but I have not been able to get through, so I have decided to write to you.

I met you once when you came to St Ann, but the crowd was too large so I couldn't get to talk to you. I was living with a woman but we broke up. Now I am trying with another woman.

This lady is to my taste. She is a good cook, and she gives me space. She has two children, and they love me. They even call me 'daddy'. Those who did not know us before would think that I was their father.

The only drawback in this relationship is that this woman cannot read very well. I told her to go back to school and she said that her children could read, and I could read, and none of us would rob her. When I saw this woman, I was attracted to her. I could not believe that such a pretty woman couldn't read. She is of light complexion and she has long hair. I am so proud of her whenever we go out. But she can barely write her name. She told me that when she was growing up, her mother had many of them and she was the eldest, so she had to help her mother with the children. I want to marry this woman. She is in her 40s. When it comes to the signing, I don't want anybody to embarrass her and to know that she can't sign her name.

Initials Withheld

Dear writer,

First of all, I am glad to hear from you and I am also happy that you have found a good woman. Unfortunately, she cannot read but I would like you to know that a woman does not have to know how to read for a man to love her. This woman loves you and if you are totally honest, you know that she is your type of woman. She is in her 40s and her children respect you. She can still learn to read. You can teach her what you know, and you can marry her, and the marriage officer would not embarrass her in any way. She can write an 'X' and it can be done discreetly and the marriage officer would write her name. These things can be discussed when both of you go to see the marriage officer for counselling.

In my ministry, I have met some beautiful women who can barely read, and I have met some smart men who cannot read either. You probably should get somebody such as a retired teacher to teach your woman to read. Take care of each other and anything that I can do for the both of you, please get back to me.

Pastor