Expert: Susan Dunn, Dating Coach - 5/6/2008

Question
Hello Susan,
ugh....where do I start? His name is Jason. I used to talk to him when I was a sophomore in High School. Its been about 4 years. Well, when we first started talking, I had just got out of a very abusive relationship with a guy named Pete. Pete and I had an "on again, off again" sort of relationship. Pete was 5 years older than me; while Jason was only 2 years older. Anyway, one night, real late, Jason came over just to talk. He refused to come inside because it was very late and he didn't want to wake up my mom. Well, Jason and I were outside talking, when Pete drove up all psycho. Pete stood in front of me and yelled in my face, and made me choose between him and Jason. I didn't know what to do, so I just looked down. I wasn't going to choose Pete at all! but Jason just got mad and said "you know what, Im not goin to deal with this. bye Tatum" It broke my heart to see Jason leave. He refused to talk to me ever again. One summer, I lived across the street from him for 3 months, and not one word. 4 years later, I found out he went to the army, and was doing a tour in Iraq. He recently came home and I saw him at the local supermarket. I didn't recognize him, and he smiled and said Hi!. I smiled and later I realized it was Jason! We started talking, and we've been talking [as friends] for like 2 weeks. I know, somehow in my heart, that I have real feelings for Jason. They never went away. I'm working on a package to send him since he's in Iraq. I'm trying to make it as perfect as possible. I just don't know how to make him see that I can take care of him! any advice?

Thank you sooo much!
Tatum*

Answer
Don't worry about making it perfect, just be yourself.  I don't know what the regulations are, but I'm sure you know what he likes, what would remind him of you and home, and what would make the trip in good condition.  Be sure and tuck in a little handwritten note!

Good luck,
Susan