Not really piecing and trying not to jinx it, but

[Freckle6]

I really don't know what changed for him. For a few years we really had no contact except the briefest of words regarding our son when absolutely necessary. We never fought or got ugly about anything--that was even kind of our problem when we did argue. We'd get mad and not speak for days until someone caved which wasn't any healthier than what you and your H did-- just the other end of the spectrum. It's been like 3+ years of that. LOL

I guess for now I am proof that X amount of time isn't too late, because 5 years is a pretty long time. Though I don't think I'd advise anyone to wait around that long either. Until this summer when he poked his head out briefly, I had accepted it was over for good. Literally like a week before he started calling me for stupid reasons (like to ask how old he was...) I had burnt a pile of cards he has given me over the years.