SadGirl, I am very happy for you!!!! It takes a lot of strength to do what you did!!! However, I am curious -- since this has been lifelong for you, how do you plan on keeping away from these types of people for good? Meaning, the next steps are to learn how to identify these types early on and to not get involved at all from the get go. Not to rain on your parade!! Just wanting to see you permanently able to steer clear, and I know from my own history, I kept getting involved with the same types over and over again while ignoring the warning signs.