Phae,

You are still young. I bet that you get tired of hearing that, but you need to remember it and keep it in mind. You are learning about relationships - that is one of the main purposes of dating. It's good that you can recognize whether or not you are dependant on your boyfriend, and I hope that you will watch out for that. Since you have been in an abusive relationship, you know how dangerous it is to be unhealthily dependant on someone. That is a pattern that you don't want to fall into, but it can be easy to confuse love and dependance when that has been your experience. I'm not saying that there is anything wrong with your current boyfriend or with your relationship, but I hope that you can learn to be in a relationship and not be dependant. It is a very good thing that you have recognized this and are aware of it. You can establish the ability to have healthy relationships now, and your whole life will be much better for it. This does not mean that you will shut off your relationship with your boyfriend - just keep all this in mind as you evaluate the relationship. Going to counseling to talk about this might really help you.

-Wendy

<font color=green>Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that, you, too, can become great. -Mark Twain</font color=green>