Hey @Bambalamba  - Thank you for sharing that -  you and your partner have both been through so much in your lives - its amazing to hear how much you're both achieving despite all of that    Your descriptions of your partners kids and your relationship with them are wonderful -it sounds like you have such a rich and positive relationship with each of them.  I hear what you're saying about the honey-moon phase, and worrying that you won't live up to the "hero" perception they have of you - but it seems that you have set the groundwork to have honest and open communications that is realistic about what they can expect from you, and vice versa. Of course like every human, there will be positive and negative things about each of them, and about you. That's where the real relationship growth happens I guess.. in patience, tolerance, and forgiveness for those more negative actions and traits.    Is your fear about messing things up about something specific or mostly an anxiety?    That's a real shame to encounter counsellors like that - sadly there are good and bad in every profession, and counselling isn't for everyone.    Do you have any friends that you talk to about these concerns or anxieties?    ... View more