Cash fails to buy girlfriend's love

Dear Harlan: I've been in a long-distance relationship for quite some time. My girlfriend had a cellular bill that was pretty costly. I paid for it to ease her money situation.

She then purchased a camera phone and an XBox for herself. Recently, she's been quite distant from me (emotionally). I got an e-mail one day that was sent from her camera phone. It was a picture of her and a guy kissing. She has no idea how it got sent to me, but she tells me how much she loves me and how bad she feels about it.

She says she didn't know what she was thinking when she did what she did. I'm rather confused. I get so weak when I talk to her, but I'm hurting bad. I feel like I've put so much into this relationship, and it's difficult to let go because of everything we've been through. — Lost in Hawaii

Dear Lost: A new XBox game system: $149.99

A new camera phone: $129.99

Seeing your long-distance girlfriend kissing another guy via the cell phone plan you're paying for: PRICELESS. There are some things money can't buy this holiday season. If you're looking for self-respect, leave your credit cards at home. Instead, try looking at the big picture — you're not a boyfriend, you're an ATM card. Then look at the little picture of her kissing another guy — she's a cheater. Then the phone bill — she's offensive.

She's emotionally bankrupt and totally lacks respect for you and this relationship. Every guy is entitled to a weak moment. Now, that weak moment is over. Save yourself some heartache, time and money; find someone better.

Dear Harlan: I fell in love with a 23-year-old man when I was 17. We were together for five years. I left him because I felt I needed some time to figure things out. I wanted to be sure when we got married. It's been a year now. I've asked to come back twice.

The first time was three months after we broke up, and again three days ago. He told me he didn't know. I later got an e-mail from him saying he's seeing someone else and has been since we broke up.

I don't know how to move on. I'm still in love with him. But he never felt the same for me. I see that now. He's jumped from one long-term relationship to the next since he was 18. I feel used. I just don't know what to do to make it stop hurting so much. I've dated other people; it never helps. Please help. — Regretting the Break