PW - I know exactly how you feel about this being a liberating experience. For the past year, I have been solely focused on the things that H has been doing. For so long, I felt so out of control and that I had no say in what was happening in my life. It was not until he left that I was about to take a step back and look at myself.
I can tell from reading your posts that you are in a better place and much more confident. I am glad that you had a great time with H at dinner. Enjoy the baby steps!