Glad to hear things are going well for you MB. If it's the same chick from your other thread those photos look great. Sounds like she's a keeper too. I'd be keeping that one around for awhile too.
Like you, my experiences with women got exponentially better when I literally didn't care anymore. I'd been around the block so many times that there was no heart left to break. Maybe that's a little extreme but things like break ups just didn't phase me anymore. It was at that moment that everything fell into place and my relationships with women changed for the better.
I'm not sure if I just started getting lucky or better at choosing women or maybe they could just sense I was different and adjusted their behaviour accordingly. Girl problems and understanding women just went away.
It's truly great place to be and a great feeling. A lot of guys say they "Don't give a fvck" but I don't think a lot of them "really" get it. Hence some of the advice you are being given.
Being aloof to the point where you can say "I love you" and mean it, yet still be able to happily show them the door, IS the key to success. I got there through a lot of experience and heartache. This is why I generally tell guys to go for it if they seem to have found a cool chick. Who cares if it blows up? That's what makes you stronger! I think people who advise to protect yourself mean well, especially when it comes to financial issues, but I think it is that same aversion to risk that holds a lot of guys back. How are you going to ever experience something great if you are afraid to put yourself out there and always holding back.
I know this might all sound a little sappy but I guess the point is, a man with nothing to lose is a lot stronger than a man who is afraid of losing something.
Cheers