Your stories were awesome to read. I, unfortunately didnt enjoy playing many years ago, but in recent years have picked up the guitar and Ive been hooked ever since.
I, along with my children, bought my husband a guitar for Christmas one year. He attempted to play, but didnt have the patience to continue, so it sat on the guitar stand for a year or two, me eyeing it for that amount of time, before I picked it up to play. I haven't stopped loving it since. I am mostly self taught with lessons thrown in here and there.
We are also retired and have the time now to enjoy practicing without time restraints..;o)
I discovered this site yesterday, I am a registered member obviously, but already so close to joining for lessons.