I'm learning to think in this way.

One can't always take the 'perfect' step in life, there's a lot of context to consider. And maybe the timing wasn't correct and so on.

We might do something only to realize we didn't want it, but it was good to have that experience, otherwise, it's a what-if. There's always a what-if.

Loved this story. It was an emotional read for me. So glad you're writing now and the closing lines were perfect.