I am so glad to hear how it went. It sounds like your H is opening up a little more and being open to change. The fact that he's getting his tattoo covered up today is wonderful. I think the phoenix is a PERFECT idea!
I think you have to continue to have these discussions and make sure he realizes that the journey isn't over, that you'll have to talk about problems for the rest of your lives if you want this M to work. It's easy to shove things under the rug and forget about them, but they always end up coming to the surface later. This is what happened in my M. We separated years ago and when he came back, we never really talked about it, worked on it, etc. We just sort of pretended it didn't happen. And then he ended up leaving again, this time (apparently) for good. My heart still breaks when I think of the chance I was given. I blew it and I feel horrible every day because of it. This is why I try to help others...it lifts me up a bit and makes me realize that if I can't heal my own M, I can at least help others do so.
From the beginning, your H has shown that he loves you and wants to be with you. I think that he's just been confused and that the OW made things even more confusing for him. I never had a doubt that you'd be back together with him. I don't think my situation is quite so hopeful.
