Dear Pastor,

I am a 16-year-old girl who is currently living in America. I am dangerously in love with a 19-year- old guy in Jamaica. I know that you must be thinking that I'm so young and there are many fishes in the sea, but he's really special to me. I had a lot of problems when I was in Jamaica. There was not a week that went by that I wasn't crying. At times I felt like committing suicide. However, when I met him, he was always there to comfort me. Even at 3:00 a.m. I would call him and he would answer. He just made me feel so special.

I had a diary which my mom found. I wrote everything about him. She was really angry. She doesn't know what I was going through when I was living in Jamaica. She left me when I was 7 years old. I am very grateful she filed for me, but that doesn't mean I'm just going to forget about the persons who helped me.

Pastor, I just want to know if you think it's a great idea for me to have a long-distance relationship. I am planning to marry him when I'm 18 and then file for him. I really love him, but I'm confused by what people always say that long-distance relationships don't work. Please, help me, pastor and keep up the good work.

F.T., Florida, U.S.A.

Dear F.T.,

I understand what you are trying to say. This young man means a lot to you. Keep in touch with him, but try your best to get an education before you think of getting married. You have my prayers.

Pastor