Thank you ALL so much for the replies! Sorry I'm just getting back to this...
Lots of good, honest, thorough, positive responses....obviously I still have a lot of planning/research to do. But I have the time

Manpot - thanks for relaying some of your experiences. Encouraging!
YachtReprise - really appreciate your post and offering to answer some questions via PM. I might take you up on that. Somewhat young and stupid, absolutely. Cheers.
Standrea - I would ABSOLUTELY take you up on that offer. Thanks so much for your post

Again, thanks to all for taking the time respond!