Oh my, yes, that realization hit me like a freight train and it took me a while to get down from the "me" to the "us". Actually an interesting view on it, given my current situation, and a clue on why the mother is acting as she is. I'll have to think about this relation.

Anyway, for me it has been quite the journey to pivot around. I was always quite socially oriented, but never as much as to share my whole identity with another being. It's also part of my current relationship is working so well I think. Another interesting thought. I might just write a post exploring these two sides of the idea... :-D

I do hope your life is a lot better now. It does seem like it, that you learned a lot from all that bad happen, and that you won't repeat it.