[April Masini, your AskApril]

This could be a great love story — or tragedy. The most important thing you need to learn is to voice your own opinions and to follow your heart. It’s no longer fair to blame your mother for her prejudices. You are becoming your own woman and you have to live your own life — but it sounds like you’ve realized this.

In the meantime, the man you love has moved on and is dating someone else. My advice is to stay friendly if you can, and if his relationship status changes, dial up the flirting so there will be no mistaking next time, what it is you want from him: a romantic relationship.

I hope that helps. Please let me know what happens, and follow me @AskAprilcom on Twitter and on Facebook at this link: [url][/url].