Mmm I know what you mean by expectations, no this person doesn't know h and I as a couple, I met them independently recently, he is also recently s, so for me at least, it is me meeting new people of the opposite sex to form a friendship with. I think a lunch is ok, as it doesn't have the same connotations as something g at night, I agree there. sad that your h is treating you like that, and his family sound like a pack of vipers. I too am beginning to enjoy being me again, I was thinking about when I first met h, I was messy in my head but I had balls! I was confident and I knew what I wanted. I think somewhere along the line I began to to put h on a pedistool, that he could do no wrong and that he would make everything ok, instead of standing on my own two feet. I get now, I will be ok, i do love my h, but I will be ok no matter what happens. I really want what is best for him and me, and our boys . having said all that, let's see how I go when I have to drop the boys off to him this afternoon.....