Marie- thank you so much. You are such a dear.
Regarding your comment about men, I think it's true. Also, my DH can be as assertive as anyone, but when it comes to his sister, in my opinion he just takes too much abuse. She actually speaks very harshly to him on a regular basis, and I feel that occasionally I need to just step up to the plate and say "Don't talk to my husband that way".
I realize it's some kind of dynamic between them that was probably established a long time ago, but whatever my DH may have done when they were kids, he doesn't deserve that kind of treatment now. He's now a loving, supportive brother and she has even admitted that to me, so enough with the abuse already. It's just time to end it. And I don't at all mind being the one who says so. }(
Marie, my stepson met a lot of frogs before he met his princess. I am sending out positive vibes to you and to your stepson in hopes that he will also meet his soulmate someday.
-Nancy