Thread: A semi-complicated friendship.

I have a strange relationship with two of my really good friends. You see, I've known one since grade school, lets call him Matt. He happened to have married my other good friend who I had met during high school, lets call her Cassie. Not too strange so far, but since their marriage things between the three of us have become a little stressed/strained.

You see, I'm always joking around but when my jokes are directed to my female friends it is immediately considered flirting, which I feel is really ridiculous. Now Cassie and I have always joked since our freshman year in high school, usually in the form of insulting one another playfully. Well, apparently since I joke around with lines like "You're always a sip of gin away from giving lapdances" (weak line, but when you're texting one another who cares?), it drives Matt ballistic and he demands I stop all contact with his wife.

Now, if I hadn't known Matt my entire life I might be able to understand his concern as the overprotective husband but we grew up together and have no bad blood between us. I feel torn because I've known Cassie long enough to consider her a really close friend. Needless to say, I feel it's a bit drastic and unjust of him to make such demands. I've talked to Cassie asking if our conversations have caused any problems but she assures me it's nothing. In fact, apparently I'm an isolated incident as Matt has no problems with Cassie having contact her other friends, guys included. This adds to my confusion and frustration.

Anyway, I was hoping to get another set of eyes and opinions on this subject. Am I really in the wrong? Even if I stop my lame ass jokes, I don't think stopping all communication with a good friend is fair. I've tried to talk to him about it, but Matt refuses to listen and just tells me to stop texting his wife though he has no problems with us hanging out. I'm hoping to get this all sorted out before it snowballs into some ridiculous teen-like drama and all advice, observations, and other such remarks are appreciated.