Hi maia, I already "met" you on my own Getting To Know Each Other post, but thought I'd repay the courtesy.
Even though I haven't attempted to get a formal diagnosis yet, in at least beginning to realize Asperger's may be behind all of my issues not just present-day but when I look back through years of memories of things that now stand out like a sore thumb, like you I'm thinking how much easier things will be now that I could start to embrace what I've always felt I had to hide before. You put that so well. I feel a bit scared of that prospect yet also know it could make things so much easier for me around people in general.
From another newbie to this site, welcome -- I think all of us newly-diagnosed or newly suspected/self-diagnosed are definitely on a journey here.