running, this hit home with me:

But maybe the mirage really will be better? Well, yes, maybe so... but then maybe the next mirage is even better. At what point is better good enough? Sometimes the best really is appreciating what we have in spite of the imperfections.

That, and I gotta have heart ( \:\) Sara)!

Mark, he has mentioned the "expectations" he feels sometimes, so I have tried to get him to vocalize that to me so I can reassure him that I don't expect some of the things he thinks I do.

You are right. If I had gone out alone, he would have not liked that. He knows this friend and that is why he is ok with it. She likes him and I tell him that and that makes him feel good, too.