Marisa Caeliea month agoI (26F) have been with my boyfriend (28M) for almost three years, and our relationship has been mostly wonderful. However, there’s an ongoing issue with his best friend, Nate (27M), that’s been causing tension. Nate and my boyfriend have been best friends since high school, and while I understand their bond, Nate’s behavior towards me is starting to make me uncomfortable. At first, it was small things like teasing me about “stealing his best friend” or calling me “the ball and chain,” which I brushed off as harmless jokes. But over time, his behavior has escalated. Nate started showing up uninvited to our apartment when my boyfriend wasn’t around, making himself at home and even eating leftovers I had saved for my boyfriend. When I mentioned it, he just laughed and dismissed it. My boyfriend laughed along, which made me feel like I was overreacting. Recently, during a game night, Nate made a comment implying that I needed to “keep things interesting” in my relationship, or someone else might take my place. He said it in a joking tone, but it really upset me. When I told my boyfriend, he just shrugged it off, saying “That’s just Nate. He doesn’t mean anything by it.” I don’t want to come between them, but I also feel like my boundaries are constantly being disrespected. Every time I bring it up, my boyfriend defends Nate, and I’m left feeling like my concerns don’t matter. How can I make my boyfriend understand how much this is affecting me without seeming like I’m trying to drive a wedge between them?136
Marisa CaelieMarisa Caelie