Dear Amy: My close friend got married last year — to a man she has been with for several years. Ever since the wedding, my friend reports that their relationship is in serious trouble.
She says he can't communicate and doesn't understand her needs. He says he doesn't see anything wrong with the relationship and believes she's being dramatic.
They have passionate fights but are best friends.
I am good friends with both of these people, who are in their mid-20s, very successful in their careers and generally well-adjusted.
Most of our mutual friends feel their issues are typical of newlyweds and that they just need time to work out the kinks.
I constantly remind my friend that I am available if she needs someone to talk to, but I have a difficult time giving advice when she asks me (I'm not married and am in a new relationship).
I love both of these people and would like to see their marriage work, but from what she has been telling me, I also don't want them to live unhappily ever after.
They have been working extremely hard to remedy the situation, including seeing a therapist, but sometimes it sounds as if the love just isn't there. She told me that she has rented an apartment and plans to move there. She says it's a temporary separation, but I worry it will become permanent.
I don't want to encourage a separation or an unhappy marriage, but these two were always the dream couple in our circle of friends, so everyone expected wedded bliss.
What should I do?
— Fretting Friend
