It's been six years, how do I handle it?

Oh hun, I am so sorry. I have experienced similar struggles. and its not a lot but the only advice i can give you is to be honest, not just with the object of your attraction but with yourself. it seems you hold a lot of pain from your past issues and blame yourself for what happened. 1 year ago i thought my world had ended, the guy i had fallen in love with wasn't attracted to me in the same way. i took the selfish and completely stupid path of attempting suicide. if it wasn't for him, i would have succeeded. he became my best friend and i repressed those feelings. now we are in a relationship that is stronger than anything we've ever had. it is all because i opened myself up and let go of the blame and hurt that i caused myself. It is not your fault that the separation happened. but its good that it did, know you know how you feel. the only way to either get passed this or progress is to open up. start by forgiving you. accept that you cant change the past and that your not to blame. and forgive your mother, its not our parents' fault if they cant accept us at first, they just need time and education. finally plan a lunch or coffee date with this woman and tell her everything face to face. it will be hard, and maybe even awkward. if she denies you at first it will hurt but keep in mind that now you can have a stronger friendship and you can find closure. also there is the possibility she has felt or feels the same way and you can begin from there. i wish you the best of luck. And NEVER doubt yourself.