Originally Posted by
PuzzledHeart 
However, now that I'm blessed with the gift of hindsight, I can say that if I was given the choice, I would say those same words again.
I was thinking the same thing puzzled.
I was also just thinking, in relationship to this dynamic, I then went on to an abusive marriage that involved violence.
At first I didn't really stick up for myself much (which, if you knew me at that time you would have thought huh?), but I guess it was kind of ingrained to fly under the radar.
Eventually, I started to fight back (verbally, not physically, I was way outmatched physically, although I did hit him once years later).