Every day we feature the beloved “Strawberry Letter” franchise that is so popular on “The Steve Harvey Morning Show,” heard nationwide. Send in your letters and Shirley Strawberry will dish out the necessary advice. Today’s topic: Stay Down or Run? Dear Steve and Crew, I need advice in the worst way! I have been on and off with this man who has been in/out of jail since we met. He has now landed himself in prison. We are not married and have no children together. However, a year and a half ago, he moved his ex in with him at his moms house. She then got pregnant. I tried to walk away several times, but he somehow sucked me back in with the “I love you”s and promises of better days. I tried moving on multiple times, but while he was playing house with her and I tried to find relationships elsewhere I couldn’t leave. Now I know right now, he has nobody by his side to help support him and really hold him down. He now tells me we are not just “whatever” anymore, which was the title he gave us before he left for prison. Now I am his lady and he has told her that they are done. I know this is just out of convenience he is saying this as he thinks I will walk away. But I feel I need more out of life and a man. How do I walk away to what I deserve when I think I am still in love with him? I have waited all this time to hear him say those words and I now feel it is too little too late. What do I do? Signed, Stay Down or Run?
- “Strawberry Letters” are letters sent from fans of the “Steve Harvey Morning Show” and therefore do not express the sentiments of ESSENCE Magazine or ESSENCE.com. As these are fan letters, we have left them as close to their original form as possible.