Mr. Belding at Primanti Brothers: Staff writer Kristi Cummins was inches from the icon's faceBy Kristi Cummins / Staff writer

A week ago I was having a tough relationship dilemma of my own. My boyfriend was on his way to go see a concert with his ex-girlfriend. At that same point in time, I was having dinner with Dennis Haskins, also known as Mr. Belding from “Saved by the Bell.”

He overheard me telling a friend how mad I was, and he asked why. I briefly told him of the situation, and we talked for a few minutes, but I brushed it off, still excited to be in the presence of one of my childhood heroes. But Mr. Belding — I mean, Haskins — had taken an interest in my life and my drama, even if just for a minute. I knew it was going to be a good day.

Attendees at the annual spring fashion show got to see clothing from their favorite stores in the mall as well as witness Haskins hosting it all. He kept it entertaining and he gave a motivational speech afterward.

“Don’t ever let people tell you 'no' if you really believe in yourself,” he said.

It was then that I realized I had to go to Mr. Belding for help.

After the show ended, and he had signed autographs and taken pictures, my friends were about to take him back to his hotel. I told them that I’d just meet them at Primanti’s, when Haskins asked me what was going on. I told him we were going to get some food and watch the Pens game. Then I saw my chance — my one chance to get some real advice from a wise man from Hollywood. I asked him if he wanted to come.

“Sure, I’ll come out for a while,” he said.

I was way past excited.

Once we were seated, I explained to him every detail of my issue. My boyfriend was at a concert with his ex-girlfriend. I knew it was just because it was some band that they both liked and he couldn’t find anyone else to go. I made it clear it wasn’t a trust issue, but a matter of principle. I said I felt like a crazy person for being so upset when I knew perfectly well my boyfriend wasn’t going to be doing anything bad.

Haskins reassured me I wasn’t crazy and I had every right to be mad.

“One time this big biker guy told me a story. He said that a man thinks the woman will never change, and the woman thinks she can change the man. Both are wrong,” he said.

He agreed it was a tough situation and I definitely shouldn’t let it slide by like it didn’t matter. He said I should try to not flip out, and that fighting wouldn’t help anything. He said that I needed to be honest but patient all at once.

I am many things, but patient isn't one of them.

“I’m sure you’ve had boyfriends before who would do something like this and give you legitimate concern that they were doing something sneaky," he said. "But you even said that you know nothing is going to happen. Accept somebody for who they are and share what you can with them.”

As much as it was still bothering me, I knew he was right. He wasn’t right because he was a celebrity feeding me lines, but by that point, he was a friend trying to help out. In the end, Haskins flew back to Los Angeles and I resolved my issue with my boyfriend.

Sometimes, you really just have to trust people, and your gut feelings, even if you want to be mad. If you trust your significant others, and if they deserve to be trusted, then trust them until you have a real reason not to.

Just don’t let them hang out with their ex's too often.