Faith, I completely understand where you are coming from. I, too, have started to date an great man, but I am realizing that I still have several protection walls up as we are getting to know each other. Like you, I fell giddy in love with my ex, and in turn, ended up marrying a man who cheated on me and treated me as if I was the betrayer. However, I love my life now in every way and am so grateful for divorcing him one year ago. So, when Jeff came along 6 weeks ago, I knew that I had to be as authentic as possible with him, which included my being honest about needing to take it slow, why, and what that means to me. Amazingly, it allowed me to get to know more of his deeper parts because he talked about it like adults and have talked about important issues as they are coming up. And, I actually feel very comfortable doing so with him. So, although it seems a bit odd at times that this relationship is going slower than my last, I am so glad that it is as it is allowing us to learn how each other responds to each other's barriers. Plus, it is allowing me to view him in reality instead of the full, blinding euphoria of falling in love so quickly. This time, I think I am finally proceeding into adult, conscious love which is truly what great long-term relationships are based from. Good luck in easing into getting to know this great new guy, and just know that you have everything you need inside of you to ease into your own version of an adult, conscious love.