I am in a serious pickle right now. A few months ago I started seeing a girl and we hit it off well. We started a relationship, and had fallen in love with each other. The first time we had intercourse, we decided to take the risk of not using protection. Now we are expecting a child. Problem is that I wanted to get married through the whole relationship and, now, the mother of my child does not and does not want to keep the child and give it up for adoption. I still love her very much, and will support her in her decision to not get married. So my question is this: Do I wait to see if she changes her mind about us? Or do I invest that energy elsewhere?

-----------------------------------------Miss Emily's advice-------------------------------------

I don't think you can invest your energy elsewhere until the child is born -- not the way you feel --  because this is your child, as well, and you can't let go just yet. I don't know what state you live in, but you might have legal rights of which you are not aware. And I would consult an attorney to find out what they are. I believe you'd have to sign the adoption papers but, again, it may simply boil down to how your  state dictates adoption law. She may never want to marry you (and I don't know your capability of raising this child) but, again, look into your rights if this child is also an important part of  the "pickle" you're in, because you don't want to lose it.