I feel I can't not reply to the lovely things you've said but I don't really know what I can say!
Like Charlotte says though, to think back how the thread started compared to the later posts, I think there has been a big transformation in how you (Dan) and Hannah now think about the future and the opposite sex, and it's really pleasing.
I think when we've suffered very bad experiences we naturally start fearing and looking for the worst in people because of our fear of suffering more hurt. I must admit I too have suffered my own experiences of hurt from others but, and don't ask me why, I still try to look for the good in people until they give me cause to not trust them. Something else I always try to do is look at circumstances through their eyes to try and understand why someone may have reacted badly towards to me. Sometimes there is no reason other than clash of personalities or misunderstandings but sometimes if they are suffering hurt themselves they can misdirect it towards others who are not to blame.
Anyway, I hope Hannah you're now glad you plucked up the courage to post because otherwise none of us would ever have noticed what a truly lovely person you are! Some day, some fella will regard themselves as being Extremely Lucky to have met you! How I wish I was single and 20 years younger! (Sssshhhh, don't tell Dan!)
And Dan....just keep going and never give up on hope. You have enough proof here to convince you that there are Good people around of Both sexes. Just find ways to put yourself out there, be "you" and the right girl for "you" will come along. In fact, they'll probably be fighting over you!...and I'll honestly be envying you!