Should I initiate R talk?

[MrBond]

"she does ask a lot of Qs about my growth"

Like what? If she asks you, you just tell her this ... "Going through all this has made me realize that there were things I didn't like about myself. So I decided to fix them to be a better father and a better man."

"and the work I've been putting in. How do you answer a direct question without lying?"

Why would you lie? Are your changes just superficial or for life? She has to understand that your changes are for you and for life. Or else she's going to be afraid to go back to the same old crappy situation she believes things to b.