Ethic rules and regulations were never even discussed although I believe the use of the word "friendship" was reserved, even if unconsciously, for that specific time because of those rules. At that moment of my life, I had been so damaged the previous two years by therapists and doctors following ethic rules, that to be with someone who above all else wanted to hear me for exactly what I was saying, rather than a compilation of their own experiences, meant more to me than any rules. I made an adult choice, so whatever the consequences, I could never go back and blame ethic rules. It was irrelevant to me.

We would go out to eat together, go to a movie, text regularly about small stuff, and when we would get together to catch up, we would talk for hours.

My situation is probably a little unique. How I met her, why she became my therapist, why she ended her profession all probably contributed to our becoming friends. I don't want to discuss her personal life, so I cannot really go into why it is so difficult. She has her own baggage, and learning to except your formal therapist as someone struggling just like you can be very powerful. I am a better person because she has been in my life; I believe we were meant to meet; but this has not always been an easy journey even if growth producing.