Yep. I queried at 444 days and was seriously thinking about withdrawing at 666 days. Since then I've been looking at it every day thinking, well, should I? Like some weird submission game of Chicken, I'm glad they flinched first.
It was a really nice and deeply personal rejection, so that's helped. And I'm excited to get to sub this story again, I really love it.
I'm glad it was at least very personal, after all that time. It really must be an excellent story for them to hold it for so long. Such a shame they didn't take it in the end, but congrats for getting so close with Tor. That's no small deal.
And sorry for the R's, Sai, Eliza and O'Dandelo. Especially the ones coming in quick succession. Ouch.