OMG Holly… I never thought my words would be so well-understood by a complete stranger when I wrote them. Yet what you describe seeing growing up in your house, and commending me for not taking that road, are a true gift for which I am deeply grateful to you.

PS: I saw my ex today for the first time after he moved out a month ago, and I saw him for who he was: a light-hearted, even child-like guy. We weren’t right for each other, and I’m so glad I left.