Dear Pastor,

I am doing a temporary job with the hope of being hired permanently. Things are looking well as my contract was extended but it will soon expire. The problem is I fell in love with a guy at work and that is not encouraged. I am worried that if they find out, it would jeopardise my chances of getting permanent employment. I love this guy and I believe he loves me too. He treats me so well and he doesn't have any children. He seems like the kind of guy I would like to share the future with. I do not have any children either.

By the way, I am 23 and he is 31 years old. He would love for things to work out between us and he wants us to have a child and get married. We have fun together. Before I met this guy, I ended a relationship and vowed never to love again. I have been with guys since, but never loved them. But, this guy I really love and want to settle with. Right now I am committed to him and he is dedicated to the relationship too.

Pastor, what should I do?

O.H., Kingston, Jamaica

Dear O.H.,

I hope that this guy is, indeed, committed to the relationship as much as you. I would not encourage you to become pregnant for him before he marries you. He is 31 years old and I presume that he has had other women before meeting you. He says that he has not fathered any children. He may or may not be speaking the truth. Some men don't tell women the truth about whether they have fathered children.

There are companies which do not encourage their employees to become intimate with each other. There are some very good reasons for this policy. However, if this guy and you are serious about your relationship, it would be better for both of you to make the matter known to management before they find out. They may not terminate your employment but they may not allow both of you to work together.

I wish both of you well. Just remember, my dear, that some men like office romance but when it is known that they are involved with their co-workers they deny it to save their jobs. And, they often embarrass their female co-workers by saying they are not in love with them. I hope this will not happen to you.

Pastor