I agree with Gerbo, people who bring up embarrassing stories about others tend to covering for themselves, or looking for desperate ways to fit in. Hold your head high. You are doing a great thing for yourself. And I always think of this quote from Ian McLaren when I think of mean folks: “Let us be kind, one to another, for most of us are fighting a hard battle.” They might not realize that, but I can.
Hope the rest of your evening goes well. You have so much to be proud of yourself for!