I can really identify with this statement. I look to T for approval, and if I say something that might sound 'off', I am scared about what T might think of me. T has often said that he wants to know ALL of me, 'warts and all', and that the more he finds out about me the more he likes me. It seems so strange to me that finding out about my faults makes him like me more, but if I take a step back it does make sense.

When I look at the people in my life that I love, each and every one of them has faults. I still love them. Sometimes it is their faults that make them even more endearing than if they were just 'perfect'. I've also learned that other people still like me even if I am a bit strange sometimes. I'm not sure I could have learned that lesson without first experiencing it in a safe place with T.

I still am hesitant to tell T about some of my 'crazy' thoughts. The risk of rejection is still there. But, each time I take that risk and confirm with T that he still likes me, I gain a little more confidence in myself.