It’s also something that he really only is with Bella. For as much as he and Kate had in common in demographics and abilities, Bella is the one with whom he can fully engage all interests of his personality.

After experiencing a life-changing event, it is far too easy to employ trite truisms that are convenient to say yet really difficult to apply. I keep thinking of Tony Soprano’s post-shooting “every day is a gift” mantra, which did not really change his perspective in the long run. Yet in this story, you can feel how Edward’s worldview and perspective has changed, and that it’s a permanent change. He may not think he has his mother’s strength, but she likely didn’t either when she was his age. The point is that he is on his way to being the very best of both his parents and it took Bella breaking his heart and losing his father for that to happen.