Dear Patty,

Your post struck me as incredibly courageous, self-aware, reflecting honesty and wisdom. I am not sure I could offer any answers of worth to the barrage of profound questions at the end of your post, as I am whirling from the chord the clarity with which you wrote “got a little attached to him (or the idea of him)” and “once I knew how interested he was in me” struck in me. It took me quite a while to learn to step away from my tendency to create a person and become attached to the person I created. Another point you made is that you were misunderstood in your affections as a sign that you wanted something more — a relationship perhaps — from that guy. I am sorry to hear that, but I get it: you had needs after your recent breakup, and your affectionate nature together caused the guy whom you met to put two wrongs together, causing him to distance himself from you.

I am sorry I don’t have any easy answer for your questions.

Gia