Yes to all the things you said, John. Thank you for your insightful take on the matter.

Reading your comment, I was shaking my head “yes”. That sounds like what my subconscious was telling me. Some hateful people have assumed that what I really needed was an “alpha” male. That’s not true. I wanted (and found) someone who stands up for themselves and for me. I don’t think a man has to be a controlling jerk to do that.