Mark Twain wrote something about how dumb his father was when he, the son, was 20, but was astonished to see how smart the man had become by the time he turned 29. While i can appreciate this concept, i never saw it in my own parents, unfortunately. They seem too worried about what other people think, always. Even over my feelings.

So it took me a while even to comprehend having my t prioritize my feelings over everything else. No right or wrong about it, just ME - whatever i want, he's behind me. For a while, i wanted to marry that, to lock it in place. But now that i've had it for a while, its like too soft a bed. I dont see it as a loss. A chick doesnt see losing her shell as a loss, but as the beginning of a new life, new challenges that she is now strong enough to handle. T as an emotional incubator, a second chance.