Thank you for the warm welcomes! Yes, I'm very happy about the outcome so far, the last week has not been good for me relationship wise as a long term friend got insulted when I tried to get her to take more time for her own life in an email that she totally took the opposite of what I intended (and I probably did a very poor job of explaining my motivation as well as my fears and insecurity). I'll say that she has been a rock for me in the months after my wife's passing, checking on me, not accepting OK as an answer, offering excellent suggestions like grief counseling, etc. So it looks like any long term hope for that down the road is gone. I'm not ready for a fully committed relationship just yet and don't know when I will be, I'm still working through my grieving process. And I am savoring my step-daughter's acceptance, encouragement and good feelings.
DeniseD