Hi Mr Stranger,
I have had a somewhat similar childhood apart it's only from my mother's side. My parents separated when she was pregnant. My father is a calm and nice person. My mother is very controlling, abusive and thinks me and my sister should be grateful because she had to work to feed us and take care of us.
She always reproached me the fact I was a very sick baby and she had to pay for doctors, hospitals and emergency while she had to manage work and medicine as well. Once I told her you should have let me die then.
At the difference of you, I cut ties with her and some parts of the family under her influence. I don't tolerate abuse from anybody.
From the family I am from people have difficulties with boundaries and even my sisters have chosen partners who doesn't make them happy and it's sad.
I am single now and really take my time in the dating world, and try to seek therapy to get better. Sometimes I miss my ex boyfriend as I have the impression he was the only person who really knew me.

Prefab: what a lovely story you tell about this man. Kind individuals like that show what as a human being we should strive for.