mykarma - I sympathize. I got married at 24 when I was in grad school. I was assimilated right into my Ws big, crazy, wonderful family. And, as spellfire said, I attached my value as a person to my family - identifying myself as a H and and father. (Besides, grad school isn't really good for building internal confidence anyway!) Later on I realized that all of this was dependent on my W and could be taken away, leaving behind.....what? It's been a tough lesson!