Wow V...I am so proud of you. Sticking up for yourself isn't exactly against DBing. I didn't read anywhere in DR or DB that in order to do it effectively you had to be a door mat.
It was a good conversation the 2 of you had, I admire that you were able to recognize that falling in to the same patterns and routines would do nothing but hurt the chances of being able to communicate effectively.
It is so hard to let go, I know. One thing I realize through out this process, and maybe you can relate, was I didn't know how lost I really was until I started to find myself again.
"Everyone you meet has baggage. Find someone who loves you enough to help you unpack." ¤Formerly DelinquentGurl¤