My boyfriend is not romantic

Dear Pastor,

How can I know that my boyfriend is in love with me? I am 19 years old and I have been with my boyfriend for two years. He told me that he is in love with me, but he has other girlfriends. Whenever I don't see him or hear from him, he tells me that he is very busy. I always have to ask him if he loves me. Sometimes I am confused because when he is with me, he talks about the other girls. He knows so much about them. I don't have any other boyfriend. I am trying to keep up as a Christian.

My sister who is 21 has a boyfriend and whenever he is coming to see her, he would at least walk with a rose. My boyfriend has never given me a rose. He brought me chocolates once and I told him I do not like chocolate because it is too fattening. He sat with me and ate all the chocolates.

On Christmas, I bought him three handkerchiefs. He did not even buy me a Christmas card. So, how can I know if this man loves me? Do you think that I should go out with other guys? I am a quiet person. A couple of guys have asked me for dates. Do you think I should say yes to them and go out with them sometimes?

My boyfriend is 21 and he is very popular. I would love for us to grow together and that is why I do not really want to go out with other guys. My boyfriend and I have never had sex. I know he wants us to have sex, but I told him that I am not interested in having sex with him, so he has not pushed me into that.

Pastor, give me your advice. Tell me what I should do. I am not sure he loves me as much as he says. I am hoping to hear from you.

Initials Withheld

Dear Writer,

No man can be too busy to see his girlfriend. A man would make the time to see the one he loves. He must find time to do so. So if your boyfriend is busy, something is keeping him away from you. It is either that he does not love you enough to make the sacrifice to see you, or the other girls are taking up his time because he loves them more than you.

You should advise him that because of his lack of interest in you, you are thinking of accepting dates from other guys. You and this guy are not engaged, so you have the right to date other guys. The young man is either mean or he doesn't know better. The only thing that he has given you is chocolate, which you did not like, and the classless young man sat right there and ate them.

I want you to concentrate on your future. If you are in school, put all your energy into your schoolwork. Don't include this young man in your future plans. He is a waste of time.

Pastor