And we’re breaking the hiatus with a riveting all-advice episode, featuring the wildly adored storyteller, Alexia Côté.“My fiancé agreed to pay for our wedding ring but now he wants out of this month’s rent.”“I use too many pillows and my husband left the bedroom. Three months, later our marriage has totally imploded.”“I’m a sad failed artist mom, supporting my family single-handedly. Meanwhile, my husband sits on the couch and commissions art he likes better than mine.” Alexia and Erica can’t fix it—but we have thoughts!Welcome back to This Is Your Strange and Beautiful Life. May you enjoy this all-listener question episode with Alexia. Since she last came on the pod (on Episode 10), Alexia has embarked on some exciting life changes. Listen in to hear all about it. And be sure to follow @sidealexia to stay on top of her fabulous news. Also, scroll down to read today’s listener questions from the For Richer or Poorer, This All Started Because I Used Too Many Pillows, and Sad Failed Artist Mom. Apple listeners may need to check out this post on Erica’s website for the full versions of these small essays.Half-Bad Ukulele Segment: Until I Found You by Stephen Sanchez, dedicated to Alexia’s beloved Antoine for whom she is an excellent influence. Loving Shout-Outs - My favourite relationship coach Jillian Tureki at at www.jillianturecki.com. Listen to her podcast Listen to her podcast Jillian on Love and follow her on Instagram @jilliantureki - Better Than Your Therapist With Mariam Khan and Friends this Saturday, February 10 at 10PM at Montreal Improv. Follow Mariam Khan @justmariamkhan and check out her episode Why We’re Still Single - Confabulation Montreal. Check out their website for imminent shows, or follow them on Facebook or Instagram @confabstoriesMixing, Ukulele, and Cover Art by Erica J. Schmidt in Montréal, Quebec.Follow Erica on Facebook or Instagram or check out her website at ericajschmidt.com. You can also make her day by sending her a listener question to any of these places.Listener Question from For Richer or PoorerDear Erica (and Alexia),My boyfriend and I are 33. At long last, we picked out an engagement ring and he said, “Since I’m buying it can I get out of paying you rent this month?”Is this fair? The ring we picked out is slightly under the budget we’ve been discussing for the ring this whole time. He lives with me and pays me rent each month that takes care of 80% of the mortgage. Our mortgage is cheap and I contribute to most of the expenditures including our condo fee, all of other bills (internet, gas, electricity, water, streaming services) and groceries. So, everything is more or less split 50/50. The ring costs $3K. At one point, I offered to pay for half and he refused. I do make substantially more money than him but he has quite a bit more in savings than I do because he sold his house to move in with me and made a decent profit. Am I being greedy and unreasonable? Or should I just buy the ring myself and ask myself to marry me?Love, For Richer or PoorerListener Question from This All Started Because I Used Too Many Pillows Dear Erica (and Alexia),I am 26 and my husband is 27. We have been married for 7 years, and together for a total of 11 years. We have always been happy with each other, and I love my husband with everything in me. But recently, he has been complaining that I use too many blankets and he gets too hot. Also, I snuggle him too much, I use too many pillows, I go to bed too early/too late (it changes), and more stuff like that. So, I promised him I would go to bed when he did, I would use only one pillow and one blanket, and I wouldn’t cuddle with him anymore. He didn’t think that was good enough and now he is refusing to sleep in the same bed as me. He sleeps in our guest room while I sleep alone. This has been going on for almost three months, and we haven’t had sex a single time. He’s never complained about our sex life, he’s just been refusing. He tells me things like “if we aren’t in the same bed why would we have sex?” And stuff like that. I have a high sex drive and so does he. Early into our marriage we would have sex about three times a week. But that’s not what I’m complaining about. I miss my husband. Ever since he started sleeping away from me, he has barely spoken to me. He gets up at 6am every day, leaves at 8am, and gets back home between 7 and 8pm. His job hours are 9-5. I don’t know where he is going. I feel unwanted. Recently my female friend got divorced. She is 26. She couldn’t afford her house so I let her move in with me. I’ve known her since she we were both two. Now she does have her own room but she is having the same problem as me. She feels lonely and unwanted. So, we sleep in the same bed every night. We don’t have sex, we just cuddle. Now I will admit sometimes I give her small kisses on the forehead and she does the same to me, but my love language is ...
