True love for my friend

Last week I started watching “1923,” a new television series that tells the backstory of the Dutton family and is a prequel to Paramount’s Yellowstone series.

In the second episode, a young British woman living in colonial Africa confesses to her best friend she’s not in love with her fiancé and wants to run away with the dashing American hunter she’s just met. Her well-intentioned friend encourages her to stick with the fiancé because “he’s nice” and ultimately all men (including the hunter) will develop a balding head and a paunch above the belt line after they turn 30.

I know it always takes courage to follow your heart, even now in 2023. Which is why this story brought to mind one of my friends who is in a similar situation. She’s not married to the man she’s with, nor engaged or even living with him, but they’ve been “together” for over two years and she knows he’s not the “right one” for her. When I’ve asked her why she’s still carrying on with him, she tells me he’s a nice guy and doesn’t want to break his heart. He apparently is clueless.

In the meantime she continues to act as if he’s the love of her life while in his presence. I tell her it isn’t fair to him and she agrees but promises to break up with him after Christmas. When she doesn’t, she says she’s waiting until after the New Year. Then after Valentine’s Day. Then after his birthday, and so on.

My wish is for my friend to find the courage to set him free instead of holding him hostage in a loveless, oneway relationship. My wish is for her to do the right thing for everyone concerned. My wish is for her to find genuine love and allow Mr. Wrong to do the same. She knows what to do, but for lack of courage, she keeps dragging her feet and dragging him along.

Any suggestions to help her overcome her fear?